Sheffield aim to claim United scalp
AFP
AFP, MANCHESTER: Sheffield United manager Nigel Adkins believes his third tier underdogs should dare to dream as they bid to claim another famous scalp against Manchester United in the FA Cup third round on Saturday.
The Blades have built up an impressive reputation as cup fighters in recent seasons, reaching the FA Cup semi-final two seasons ago and last season reaching the last four of the League Cup.
Those successes were achieved under Nigel Clough and Adkins, who replaced Clough as manager of the League One club in June, wants to follow in his footsteps by sending United crashing to a humiliating defeat at Old Trafford.
Adkins, 50, who led Southampton to the Premier League as manager in 2012, has taken Sheffield United into promotion contention on the back of a run of just two defeats in eight games, which has lifted them to eighth in the League One table.
Adkins, who has also managed Reading and Scunthorpe, knows the Blades face a massive test against a United team seeking to win the competition for a record-equalling 12th time.
But the Premier League sides win over Swansea last weekend was their first win in nine games under Louis van Gaal and Adkins will look to exploit any vulnerability as the Yorkshire club, who last won the competition in 1925, seek one of their biggest results in their history.
For all Uniteds pedigree in the Cup, they havent lifted the trophy since beating Millwall in the 2004 final.
And beleaguered boss van Gaal is targeting a decent run to ease the pressure on his position and set up the chance of a first piece of silverware of his Old Trafford reign.
The Dutchman is expected to pick a strong side against the Blades and Spanish midfielder Ander Herrera should feature as he sets his sights on winning his first honour in English football.
