Norwood hopes to end City's Treble dream in FA Cup semi-final clash

Sheffield United’s Oliver Norwood can become a Man United legend over a decade after the leaving the club… as Blades midfielder states he’s ‘hoping’ to end Man City’s Treble dream in FA Cup semi-final clash

  • Sheffield United take on Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-finals on Saturday
  • The Blades will be hoping to put an end to City’s Treble dreams this season 
  • Former United player Oliver Norwood says Red Devils will be ‘rooting’ for them 

Sheffield United’s Oliver Norwood left Manchester United at the age of 21 with dreams unfulfilled having failed to make a single first-team appearance for Sir Alex Ferguson.

But more than a decade later, he’s finally been given the chance to become an Old Trafford legend. All he has to do is end their worst nightmare and kill off Manchester City’s Treble dream in Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.

‘Everyone on the red side of Manchester will be hoping we can do something good,’ smiles the 31-year-old who enjoyed a good career after departing Old Trafford in 2012 with Reading, Fulham, Brighton and Northern Ireland.

‘It would be nice. I was there nearly half my life, from the age of six, and have always followed the club since. Their fans will definitely be rooting for us to stop City doing the Treble.

‘Growing up there and being part of that winning culture is something I’ve taken throughout my career. They moulded me into the footballer and the man I am and I still speak to some of the old staff like Warren Joyce.’

Sheffield United midfielder Oliver Norwood is hoping to put an end to Man City’s Treble dream

Pep Guardiola’s side will take on the Blades in the FA Cup semi-final on Saturday afternoon

United fans love to dine out on their so-far unique achievement of 1999 when they won the League Championship, FA Cup and European Cup under Fergie. But there is genuine fear City are getting close to matching them.

Pep Guardiola’s side have already booked a Champions League semi-final place, the Premier League title is in their own hands and it would be a sensation if The Blades, second in the Championship and on the cusp of promotion, could pull off their first Wembley victory since 1925.

While City have the luxury of choosing between different superstars, Norwood believes his side also have an ace in the pack in forward Iliman Ndiaye who scored the fifth round winner against Spurs and played against England for Senegal in the World Cup.

‘We’ve got talented players and Iliman in particular. He’s got the world at his feet – he’s that good,’ assesses the 32-year-old midfielder who was part of Reading’s semi-final team beaten by Arsenal in 2015.

‘He’s as good as anything I’ve seen in the Championship. He will definitely be playing in the Premier League. The attitude he’s got, the way he wants to get better. Barring injuries, nothing can stop him.

‘I’ll try and tell the younger players to try and soak it all in because these occasions don’t come around that often.

‘I remember a similar thing at Euro 2016. I think the first game against Poland overawed us a little bit. It’s best to switch off the football on television and social media, watch the golf or Netflix instead!’

The Blades will be followed by 30,000 fans at Wembley and have plenty of reasons to feel relaxed.

Norwood came through the academy at United but never made a senior appearance for them

The Blades will be confident heading into the match having won seven out of their last nine

Whatever the result against City, they can book a Premier League place next Wednesday against West Brom. A transfer embargo on them was lifted last week and there are advanced takeover talks with Nigerian tech entrepreneur Dozy Mmobuosi.

The only downside is two of their players, Manchester City loanees Tommy Doyle and James Macatee, are ineligible to face their parent club and will have to watch on from the sidelines.

Norwood, whose contract runs out in the summer, was part of Sheffield’s last Premier League team that initially flourished under Chris Wilder with their famed overlapping centre-backs.

Their style has evolved under Paul Heckingbottom and Norwood accepts ‘if we can get our centre-halves overlapping against Man City we’ll be doing well!

Norwood, 32, has been with the Blades for five years but will see his contract expire in summer

‘Chris Wilder used to say the badge on the front is bigger than the name on the back and that team togetherness remains at the club.

‘I’ve been here five years, I love it, and for the guys like Sharp (Billy Sharp), John Fleck and Chris Basham who go all the way back to League One days, it’s a real proud moment.

‘I think our squad will be ready for the Premier League next season. We’re not stupid, we know City is the hardest test out there but for me it’s grass, a ball and 11 v 11. 

‘The only difference is a bigger stadium and there’s going to be a lot more noise!’

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