FA Cup: The key battles

Goalkeepers

Peter Cech
Chelsea keeper Cech is considered as one of the best in the world, and his return from a serious head injury earlier in the season coincided with the Blues' return to form.

Edwin van der Sar
High-profile mistakes against Roma and Portsmouth showed Van der Sar can be prone to the odd error, but the Dutchman has gone a long way to filling the void left by the legendary Peter Schmeichel at Old Trafford.

Defenders

Rio Ferdinand
Ferdinand has largely cut out the odd lapses in concentration that blighted his time at West Ham and Leeds, and has enjoyed a superb season. He has developed in to a superb organiser and has formed a rock-solid partnership with Serb Nemanja Vidic. Faces a severe test of his powers in the air by Didier Drogba this afternoon.

John Terry
Mourinho believes his captain injury absences played a decisive role in the title race and Chelsea's defence has certainly looked lost without him. Fearless in the air and in the tackle, Terry is also a threat from set-pieces at the other end. He is likely to have Michael Essien filling in alongside him this afternoon in Ricardo Carvalho's absence, and will need to marshall his team-mate through some trick spells.

Midfielders

Frank Lampard
Lampard's battle in the centre of the park with Paul Scholes will be one of the key battles. Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho desperately needs a performance - and preferrably a goal - from his star man. He has been one of the finest midfielders in the country over the last couple of seasons, but he has hit the net just once in the last 15 matches.

Paul Scholes
Scholes already has three FA Cup Winners' medals to his name, scoring at Wembley in the 1999 Final to set United on their way to the second leg of the treble. He has enjoyed a wonderful season after missing much of last year with vision problems, and his sumptuous chip to set up Wayne Rooney's goal against Milan summed up everything about the unassuming star; real creative vision, and the outrageous skills needed to execute exactly what he wants.

Strikers

Didier Drogba
Drogba finished the season as the Premiership's top scorer with 20 league goals - with 12 more in all competitions. He is a string and single-minded striker, and has bounced back from a reputation for diving to become perhaps the most powerful and lethal finishers in the league. He also offers Chelsea pace and determinded running, giving their defence the option to send direct balls through the centre or into the channels.

Wayne Rooney
Rooney has been Manchester United's key man on the road to Wembley this season - in four starts and two substitute appearances, he has bagged six goals, with braces against Portsmouth in round four and the semi-final against Watford at Villa Park. He possesses plenty of tricks, flicks and clever passes but can also turn deadly finisher when the goal is in sight.