Now the Rams have been put to the sword in emphatic fashion (in the first half anyway), we'll surely be facing Spurs in the Carling Cup final. But first we have to play them in the FA Cup...
Spurs boss Harry Rednapp will proudly tell everyone his Pompey side stopped a magnificent United team from completing a second Treble last season. This season, since taking over at Spurs, he's pulled together a string of results that give them a fighting chance against relegation. They've taken points off all the top teams - against us at White Hart Lane, Harry parked the Spurs bus in front of goal and punctured the tyres, although many will feel that Ronaldo's magnificent strike in the top corner should have stood. The referee chalked it off for handball but I think the replays show the ball brushed Ronaldo's shoulder. (Mike Dean always seems to give big decisions against us)
Since our FA Cup triumph in 2004 we have reached the final twice, only to lose to Arsenal and Chelsea. But we are still the most successful club in the competition, the oldest domestic competition in world football, and that is something to be proud about. We put in a great performance in the last round against Southampton, players like Nani and Anderson really had a good game. I think after losing two finals, the team will want to win it this year, even if it might not be a glamorous as the road to Rome.
Can we go one, even two better than the Treble of ten years ago and win a Quadruple or Quintuple? Many pundits feel this is the best equipped United squad to date. The loss of Hargreaves is a big blow for any team but Carrick has come to the fore and Giggs looks like the real deal in the centre of the park with his little spins to get away from his marker before playing a pass. We have a well balanced team in every respect, even our defence is now interchangeable. Dare we dream...?
