RUUD VAN NISTELROOY V DANNY DICHIO

By Duncan Bech, PA Sport

The 2004 FA Cup final should be a fascinating match-up as Barclaycard Premiership giants Manchester United bid to avoid their second trophyless season in three years with victory over Millwall.

With a turnover of millions and a worldwide army of fans, Sir Alex Ferguson's men operate in a different stratosphere to their Nationwide Division One opponents on May 22.

This is no more apparent than up front where Dutch master Ruud van Nistelrooy will lead the red charge while Danny Dichio will head Millwall's attack.

Here the Press Association looks at the men most likely to fire their respective teams to cup glory.



EXPERIENCE: Van Nistelrooy's prolific strike rate at PSV Eindhoven caught the attention of United scouts who identified him as a player capable of making a big impact in the Premiership. He began to deliver soon after his move to Old Trafford in 2001 and has sealed his reputation as one of the world's deadliest finishers, with his goals in the Champions League and for Holland underlining his ability to perform at the highest level.

Dichio's unsettled career, which began with QPR in 1993, includes spells at eight different clubs. He spent brief periods in Serie A with Sampdoria and Lecce but failed to impress at either club and swiftly returned to England where he found a home at Sunderland. At 31, he is entering the twilight of a career which has never been conducted at van Nistelrooy's level.



PLAYING STYLE: Van Nistelrooy rarely tries his luck from outside the box but is deadly in it. Big and strong, he has proved the perfect target man for United. The 27-year-old is also strong in the air.

Dichio is another forward who enjoys the aerial battle - at 6ft 3in he can prove a handful for defenders - and many of his goals are headed home. His size also makes him a target man, although he lacks van Nistelrooy's strength in the air and the Dutchman's killer instinct in front of goal.



PERSONALITY: Cut from the same cloth as most European footballers, van Nistelrooy is clean living and never found in the news for the wrong reasons. Comfortable under the media spotlight, his conduct in public makes him the perfect role model. Not so popular with Arsenal's players, however, with his on-field attitude winding up several of Arsene Wenger's troops in previous encounters.

Dichio could have had a career as a DJ had QPR's scouts not come knocking, but he still dabbles behind the decks - a hobby that has caused run-ins with managers concerned that he might be spending late nights in clubs. Hard working and dedicated, Dichio is a popular member of the dressing room and well regarded by fans.

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