MX23RW : Tuesday, March 19 20:02:11

Wolves boss Nuno ready for 'biggest game in years' against Manchester United

Wolves boss Nuno ready for 'biggest game in years' against Manchester United
© Reuters
Wolves are aiming to reach the semi-finals for the first time in 20 years.

Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo believes the FA Cup clash against Manchester United is the club's biggest game for many years.

Wanderers, who clinched promotion back to the Premier League last season, face United at Molineux on Saturday evening for a place in the semi-finals at Wembley. They have not been in the competition's last four since 1998.

Nuno insists he is aware of Wolves' FA Cup pedigree – which includes lifting the trophy four times, with the last triumph back in 1960.

"It is the biggest game for the club for some time, we are aware of that," said Nuno.

"We can feel in the city what's going on, everybody is expecting a big game, some of them say it's one of the most important games in years. We feel that.

"Of course, we want to make it happen again. But there is a lot of hard work ahead to repeat what happened in the past.

"It's one of the things we want to make happen again, but we have to go step by step. There's a long, long way for us to achieve those glorious moments of the 50s and 60s (but) it's much harder now. It's inspiring, of course."

Wolves face a rejuvenated United team under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who has won 14 and lost just two of his 18 matches in charge.

"There are some changes but the quality is there," said Nuno. "They are a very good team in a very good moment. The performances and results have been fantastic. The big moments they have had have been fantastic. Ole is doing a fantastic job.

"I don't think (United's loss to Arsenal last weekend) will make any difference. We know that it's a different competition, it's the quarter-finals of a big, big competition; the FA Cup – the oldest competition in the history of football.

"What happened before doesn't change anything. They are a very good team and it will be a tough game for us."

Ryan Bennett is suspended in the Premier League but available for the FA Cup, so Nuno must make a decision about the defender's inclusion. Romain Saiss played in the 1-1 draw at Chelsea.

Nuno confirmed that John Ruddy will replace Rui Patricio in goal, as he has done in all the cup ties this season.


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John Ruddy in action during the FA Cup third-round game between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Liverpool on January 7, 2019
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Nuno to hand Ruddy game time before Wolves' FA Cup quarter-final
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool31237170185276
2Manchester CityMan City30242479215874
3Tottenham HotspurSpurs30201957322561
4Arsenal30186663392460
5Manchester UnitedMan Utd30177658401858
6Chelsea30176750331757
7Wolverhampton WanderersWolves30128103836244
8Watford30127114244-243
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham31126134146-542
10Leicester CityLeicester31125144043-341
11Everton31117134342140
12Bournemouth31115154356-1338
13Newcastle UnitedNewcastle3198143140-935
14Crystal Palace3096153641-533
15Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2996143242-1033
16Southampton3079143450-1630
17Burnley3186173559-2430
18Cardiff CityCardiff3084182757-3028
19Fulham3145222970-4117
20Huddersfield TownHuddersfield3135231857-3914

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