FA Cup final: David de Gea set to start for Manchester United with ‘cup goalkeeper’ Sergio Romero on the bench
Romero has started all but one of United’s FA Cup ties so far this season - missing last month's semi-final against Tottenham through injury
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Jose Mourinho will start David de Gea in Saturday’s FA Cup final against Chelsea, with Manchester United’s regular ‘cup goalkeeper’ Sergio Romero consigned to the bench.
Romero has started all but one of United’s FA Cup ties so far this season – only missing last month’s semi-final victory over Tottenham Hotspur with a knee injury suffered while on international duty.
The Argentine was trusted to start the Europa League final against Ajax last year – a game United needed to win in order to qualify for this season’s Champions League.
Romero also played the duration of last weekend’s victory over Watford on the final day of the Premier League season.
Mourinho, however, feels as though the 31-year-old has not clocked up enough minutes of late to justify a place against Chelsea on Saturday and will instead turn to first-choice ‘keeper De Gea.
“De Gea plays,” he said at his pre-match press conference on Friday and when asked why he had returned to his No 1 rather than remaining loyal to Romero, Mourinho said the Argentine’s recent injury had influenced his decision.
“Because [Romero] was injured for a long long time. He was injured for two and something months,” he said.
“He didn’t play some matches that normally would be his matches – the semi-final against Tottenham, a couple of more matches before the final. He trained only one week before the Watford match and a little bit more before and that’s the reason.
“It’s not about trust, it’s not about confidence in him,” Mourinho added. “We could have felt last season the Europa League final was a much more important match than this one because Europa League final was giving us the possibility to play Champions League and that is first objective of any top six club – to finish top four.
“But because we didn’t, it was to win the Europa League final and I played Europa League final with Sergio. So it’s not about confidence or no confidence, it’s about process of last couple of months since he had an important injury against Spain.”
Mourinho also said on Friday that United will wait “until the last moment” before making a decision on the availability of Romelu Lukaku.
The Belgian remains a doubt for Saturday’s final having missed United’s last three games with an ankle injury, and as United have scored just one goal in those three outings, Mourinho will give the 25-year-old every chance of playing.
“Lukaku we have to wait until the last moment,” the United manager said. “I don’t want to lie to you and say he doesn’t play and then plays, so Lukaku we have to wait.”
Anthony Martial is fit and available for selection despite missing last weekend’s win over Watford but club captain Michael Carrick, who said farewell to the club last Sunday ahead of joining Mourinho’s coaching staff this summer, will not add to his 464 appearances for the club.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments