5 reasons why Chelsea will thrash Manchester United in FA Cup final
"I don't think you have to behave like a crazy guy on the touchline to have that passion."
"Sometimes I think there is, I don't know the name, but dementia senile... when you forget what you do in the past."
There is no love lost between Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte. Their feud is one that goes as far back as 2016, but for simplicity's sake, let's start at the beginning of the year.
Mourinho took a dig at Conte, labelling him a 'crazy guy' for the manner in which he celebrated on the touchline. Conte followed it up by claiming Mourinho was 'senile', also referring to him as a 'small man' who would remain that way in the future.
While both have claimed that their hostility towards one another is a thing of the past, tempers are expected to flare when Manchester United and Chelsea face off tomorrow in the biggest game of the season for the two teams.
For both managers, the FA Cup presents itself as their last shot at silverware. Manchester United's campaign was undoubtedly the more successful one, but Mourinho will be happy with nothing less than a trophy in his hands at the end of the season.
While United go into the tie as firm favourites, Chelsea have the history - and the weaponry - to pull off an upset.
Here are five reasons why Chelsea could end up thrashing United and sending Conte off on a high:
#1 Chelsea's last chance of avoiding a trophyless season
After a scintillating 2016/17 season in which they could do no wrong, Chelsea have stuttered and stumbled to the finish line this campaign, failing to even make it to the top 4, meaning it's Thursday night action for their fans next season.
They crashed out to London rivals Arsenal in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup and exited the Champions League in the R16 after a humiliating defeat to Barcelona. All this means the FA Cup is their only shot at redemption and that should be enough to spur them on. The players have already stated that they are fired up for the game.
"You don't want to be on the back of losing two FA Cup finals in a row," Cesc Fabregas said. "Last year we didn't play well. We have this regret in our head and we want to make it right this time for sure."