Manchester United are rewriting history this season, firstly by earning the most points ever in the club's brief history in the top tier of women’s football but also by taking their place at Wembley this weekend.
This year’s Vitality Women’s FA Cup final will be like no other, with both United and Chelsea fighting for a domestic double.
It hasn't been smooth sailing for Marc Skinner's side, although the Reds saw off second-tier talent in their early rounds in the competition. Nikita Parris put two past Sunderland in the fourth round with United winning 2-1 in tough conditions, while five different goalscorers then saw off Durham in the fifth round.
Vilde Boe Risa, Leah Galton, Hannah Blundell, Alessia Russo and Parris all found the back of the net in their 5-0 win over Durham to progress into the quarter-finals. Notably, this round was the only clean sheet Mary Earps and her backline have managed in their route to Wembley.
Having bested last year's run (which ended with a 4-1 loss to local rivals City in the fifth round) United then progressed into the semi-finals convincingly after beating Championship side Lewes. Despite Emily Kraft’s consolation goal, Russo, Boe Risa and Parris sealed a 3-1 win in the last eight.
Only Brighton and Hove Albion stood in their way and an early Mary Earps error saw their FA Cup dreams hanging by a thread. The England No.1 palmed the ball into the back of her own net just after the half-hour mark to give the Seagulls the lead, but in front of 4,000 adoring fans, Galton found a reply by tapping home a cross beyond Lydia Williams’ reach.
Russo gave the home side the lead in the 71st minute and despite Brighton's Danielle Carter finding an equaliser four minutes later, Rachel Williams charged at goal and struck the ball into the bottom right corner in the dying embers of the game. The crowd erupted, United would be going to Wembley after a nail-biting semi-final.
Now, having suffered two losses to Chelsea this season so far - the only losses Skinner’s side have endured this league campaign - they go head-to-head with Emma Hayes once again with both sides gunning for the domestic double.
The game at a sold-out Wembley takes place on Sunday, May 14 with kick-off scheduled for 14:30. The game will be broadcast live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer with updates on the BBC Sport website.
We'll bring you all the reaction to the game at MEN Sport.
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