While all eyes are now fixed firmly towards Manchester United’s FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea on Sunday, there is another very significant game taking place that day.
United’s top four rivals Leicester City take on Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday too, in the Premier League.
The timing of the fixtures could end up giving United a real boost heading into kick off at Wembley.
United’s semi-final with Chelsea kicks off at 6pm, right after Leicester’s match finishes.
Leicester visit Tottenham in the Premier League at 4pm, a match which will have repercussions for United’s Champions League chase.
A favour from Mourinho?
Over the past week, Mourinho’s Tottenham have finally hit a little bit of form.
They won the derby against Arsenal 2-1, and then beat Newcastle 3-1 in midweek.
Spurs are fighting to secure a Europa League spot, and so have plenty to play for against Leicester. Striker Harry Kane is back in the goals, netting a brace in midweek.
This is a potential positive for United, as anything less than three points for Leicester will play into our hands.
We still need to beat West Ham on Wednesday night, and then we visit the Foxes next Sunday.
Wembley boost
If news trickles through that Leicester have dropped points, shortly ahead of kick-off, this will give United’s players a lift.
It will of course also help Chelsea, who are also battling to secure a top four spot, but for now, they sit in third place anyway and just have to worry about themselves.
Our players enter this game with two days fewer rest than Chelsea. A pick-me-up from Tottenham beating Leicester will be exactly the kind of adrenaline boost our players need right before the game.
United’s fate is still in our own hands regardless of what Leicester do, but it would be nice to head to the match at the King Power next week with our fate already decided, or needing just a draw.
A bad result for Leicester could give United a boost heading into this FA Cup semi-final, to play with an extra spring in their step. We will see if Jose can deliver.
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