Connor Wickham says Man United's rearranged game is no advantage
Monday 16 May 2016 23:22, UK
Connor Wickham has dismissed suggestions Manchester United's rearranged Premier League fixture with Bournemouth gives Crystal Palace an advantage in Saturday's FA Cup final.
The 23-year-old striker also believes United are likely to play a weakened team against Bournemouth on Tuesday ahead of Saturday's showpiece because Champions League qualification is beyond their reach.
United are to host Bournemouth on Tuesday after Sunday's match between them was abandoned because of fears over what was later discovered to be a fake bomb left at Old Trafford following a training exercise.
The rearranged game reduces United's preparation time for Saturday's cup final at Wembley by 48 hours, giving underdogs Palace further time to recover and study their opposition.
Wickham, however, does not believe that will make much difference, even towards the conclusion of a demanding season.
They will be ready for us. We have to make sure we're better than them.
"We know how good United are," said the striker, who headed the winning goal when Palace defeated Watford in last month's semi-final.
"They are used to playing two games a week. They will be ready for us. We have to make sure we're better than them.
"It's more that it's disrupted that weekend. They were ready to go out and they got evacuated. It's up to them what team they play but their Champions League hopes are gone so their main focus will be on us.
"Obviously they will rotate players and make a lot of changes. They will want to keep some players ticking over and give them some minutes but I'd expect them to make changes."
Owing to a knock to his ankle, Wickham did not feature in Palace's 4-1 Premier League defeat at Southampton on Sunday, but he revealed the shock he felt while monitoring both events from afar.
"There was a bit of disbelief at how quickly it all unfolded [at Old Trafford]," he said. "But we're not part of that.
"Now their Champions League place is pretty much gone they might play a very different team on Tuesday. Our focus is on ourselves."
