Erik ten Hag could hint at a key FA Cup final starter for Manchester United vs Chelsea

Back in the Champions League?

Take a point off the worst Chelsea side in nearly 30 years and the Champions League anthem will be added to the Old Trafford playlist on Tuesday and Wednesday nights next season.

Securing that status would ensure this season is an unqualified success for United: top four and a trophy. A Treble-busting FA Cup would make it a great one.

Rashford for Sancho?

Alejandro Garnacho was on the bench again at Bournemouth and when he did emerge he played as though affronted by Jadon Sancho's starting presence. Garnacho was a quicker and cannier upgrade on Sancho, who still seems fazed by the expectations at United.

Also read: Wan-Bissaka impressing United figures amid right-back interest

Garnacho may remain on the bench with Marcus Rashford back. The alternative would be to start both and drop Anthony Martial, visibly unimpressed by his removal at the Vitality Stadium.

Rashford's challenge

It seemed a matter of time until Rashford broke the 30-goal barrier. His 25th club goal of the campaign was in the League Cup final on February 26 yet Rashford has only tallied five goals in his last 17 appearances.

Ironically, for a goalscorer United are so dependent on, they have won their last two games without him, albeit both were low-scoring contests with tight finales.

No draw?

United and Chelsea's last five meetings read 0-0, 0-0, 1-1, 1-1, 1-1. The last Chelsea manager to enjoy victory over United was actually Frank Lampard in the forgettable FA Cup semi-final in 2020.

Until then, Lampard was Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's patsy. Solskjaer's tactics were hardly indecipherable; he won with a back three at Stamford Bridge in the cup and the league and, come Wembley, Lampard had cracked the code. This version