Liverpool midfield holds the Cup key

When they took their seats at Thursday night's Footballer of the Year dinner, Roy Evans and Alex Ferguson, today's FA Cup final managers, each found in front of them a set of Chinese ''healthy balls''. A gift from Sky, they are supposed to be rotated in the hands to beat stress.

This morning, as the pair pack their bags for Wembley, they may feel tempted to take the balls with them. It could be a very stressful day.

The only thing that can be predicted with any degree of certainty about today's final between Liverpool and Manchester United is that it will be tight. Even the bookmakers cannot decide the more likely winner.

Manchester United ought to be favourites. They are the league champions and are appearing in their third successive final. But Liverpool have twice mastered them this year, gaining the better of a draw at Old Trafford and defeating them comprehensively at Anfield.

This is the opposite of how things used to be. When Ferguson arrived at Old Trafford nearly 10 years ago Liverpool were the champions and United usually beat them.

"We were never afraid," recalled Ferguson. "We were the one team they knew would try and beat them and it used to unsettle them. The big motivation for United was that Liverpool were the dominant team in English football, so beating them was the most important thing of all.

"Now it is reversed. We go there and the volume of support against us is incredible. The way they celebrated when they beat us, you would think it was VE Day. But that is the position I wanted this club to be in - that we go over there and they are desperate to beat us.''

The last point does not quite square with Ferguson's now customary reaction when teams, be it Liverpool, Leeds or West Ham, lift themselves against United, but it is probably a more accurate reflection of his true feelings.

Today's game promises to be the best final for at least five years - since Tottenham beat Nottingham Forest and Gazza crocked his knee. Both sides are attractive to watch and have a clutch of exceptionally gifted attacking players. A match-winner? Take your pick from Robbie Fowler, Stan Collymore and Steve McManaman or Eric Cantona, Ryan Giggs and Andy Cole - if he plays.

Cole's is just one of several dilemmas for Ferguson. He scored with his first touch at Middlesbrough but Paul Scholes has looked sharper all season. Then there is his warhorse, Steve Bruce, who pulled up lame in last year's final - does he risk him again, or pick David May, outstanding in the last two matches? Which Neville, Phil or Gary? And David Beckham - or Lee Sharpe?

While Ferguson will not name his team until 2pm today, Evans announced his yesterday. There were no surprises, Phil Babb and Jamie Redknapp being preferred to Neil Ruddock and Michael Thomas.

Ferguson is also trying to plot the best way to defeat a Liverpool playing style which has given United problems. These have come when Liverpool have the ball, Ferguson said. "We are alright when we have it''. The difficulty, as several sides have found, is getting the ball. "It is the number of players they have in midfield when the full-backs push on. We will need to work hard to get into these players earlier."

A busy afternoon, then, for Roy Keane and Nicky Butt. Their impact on the passing of Redknapp and John Barnes may be just as important as the forwards' finishing.

Then there is Ian Rush, the Cup's leading scorer, who will probably be playing his last game for Liverpool. Last time he was on the bench for this tie he came off it to score twice as Liverpool beat Everton in 1989. "If I get on for long enough I'm sure I'll score against them," he said yesterday.

Naturally both sides are looking for omens. While Liverpool are staying in the same hotel as they did when winning in 1992 - United have opted for the "lucky suit'', choosing the same designer, Cecil Gee, as in 1994. Liverpool are dressed by Armani. Liverpool have not beaten United in seven cup matches since 1921, including the 1977 final.

All this is, of course, stuff and nonsense. At 3pm today it will come down to the individuals and nothing else. "There is obviously a gap because that is what the league table says," Evans said. "I think on our day we are as good as anybody but, while our players have matured individually, perhaps they have not quite matured as a team.''

Evans, who was one of Graeme Souness's assistants in 1992, added: "All I can remember is actually winning it. On the day nothing else really matters.''

It is important that someone wins it. A Thursday replay would so hamper Terry Venables he tried to persuade the FA to have penalties today. In 1977 it was settled by Jimmy Greenhoff's chest. As far as Venables is concerned, today's winner can come off the referee's backside as long as there is one.

Interviews with Ferguson and Fowler, page 26

FA Cup final teams

LIVERPOOL: James; Scales, Wright, Babb; McAteer, Redknapp, Barnes, R Jones, McManaman; Collymore; Fowler.

MANCHESTER UNITED (probable): Schmeichel; P Neville, Pallister, May, Irwin; Giggs, Butt, Keane, Beckham; Cantona; Cole.