Watford v Manchester United
5.30pm, Saturday 14 April 2007
The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON
Semi-Final
Live on BBC1
Winning clubs will receive £900,000 from The FA


Watford manager Aidy Boothroyd knows his side faces a daunting task against Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-final this weekend, but feels they have a chance of causing a major upset.

Boothroyd could not believe his eyes after witnessing United's emphatic 7-1 victory over Roma in the Champions League at Old Trafford on Tuesday night.

The Watford boss was so impressed with the performance that he stopped taking notes early in the game as he knew his side would not be able to cope if Sir Alex Ferguson's team re-produce that form at Villa Park.

With Watford struggling to retain their Premiership status, Boothroyd is only too aware of the gulf that exists between the two clubs.

But the FA Cup is renowned for major upsets and Boothroyd is praying that United have an off-day on Saturday and his team can do the unthinkable and beat the Premiership leaders.

Boothroyd said: "United were outstanding [on Tuesday night] and I was privileged to be there. I thought it was an exceptional performance. To beat anyone 7-1, especially in the Champions League, is mind-blowing.

"When you get a team flowing like they were for 25 minutes, there is nothing you can do and the Italians were mesmerised by it. I stopped taking notes after ten minutes.

"But our players have got to enjoy the day on Sunday and there have been shocks before in the FA Cup semi-finals.

"This would be a major shock and up there with man landing on the moon. But a man has done that and anything is possible.

"We can start by not going and sending somebody else! We know the gulf is huge between us and the chances are very slim, but there is a chance for us.

"We have tried defending deep against them and we have tried pressing them and neither worked.

"We have to make sure that our game-plan is right and when we get chances we have to take them. But we will be talking about one of the big upsets that has taken place in any sport."