COMMENT: There's often a fear of the unknown, but at Manchester United the unknown soon become household names.
Way back in 1990 the relatively unknown Mark Robins struck an FA Cup goal that was attributed to saving Alex Ferguson's career as United boss. Many years later, the unknown Federico Macheda came off the bench to grab a late winner against Aston Villa and place United back in the title race.
The unknown is often seen as a risk and when United paid £58 million for a relatively unknown French teenager Anthony Martial - the English press soon made the judgment that money had been wasted. Those words have been rammed down the throats of those who made an early judgment as Martial has proven to be one of only two shining lights at Manchester United this season. His goals have won games and his pace has scared the country's best defenders.
Still only a teenager and being thrown into the spotlight at the world's biggest club, living in a foreign country and being thrust into the hustle and bustle of the Premier league has not fazed the youngster. The press are eating their words and the money they laughed at now seems to be small change. This could be United's story of the season, but with the unknown comes the unexpected.
Step forward Marcus Rashford, an 18 year old teenager who's still at school. Two months ago few had heard of him and that includes the majority of Manchester United supporters. As big as the impact Martial has made, Rashford is putting his striking partner back in the shadows. His goals have come in big games, winners against Arsenal and Manchester City, but the quality and skill of his goal against West Ham has placed him on everyone's minds.
United's performances on the whole this season have been forgettable. Louis van Gaal has struggled to get United playing the United way. The recent 1-0 win over Everton was poor to watch and despite early promises away at Spurs, the collapse of the team in the second half and the predictably bizarre substitutions by LVG resulted in a heavy defeat.
In recent years gone, this time of the season would see United challenging for the title and a game at Spurs would be a routine collection of three points, but those days are long gone and the performance and challenge from Spurs made them look more like a United team than the one Van Gaal turns out.
The midweek FA Cup performance was probably United's best team performance of the season. The team attacked with flair and the young talents of Martial, Rashford and the relatively unknown Tim Fosu-Mensah lit up a wet Upton Park.
Rashford's goal might turn out to be Van Gaal's 'Mark Robins moment', but an FA Cup win would do little to convince the United faithful that he has a future at the club.
It's been too long time since United last won the FA Cup and it would be much welcomed by not only the supporters but by the club as a whole.
The FA have taken much gloss off the FA Cup in recent years, the playing of the semi finals at Wembley devalues the final and should be played at an alternative venue. The Saturday evening kick off time is again poor planning by the FA, meaning two sets of supporters who need to travel home North after the game have limited travel options. However what the trip to Wembley does offer is experience of playing on the big stage.
The majority of the United players have never played at Wembley and you want them to get the feel and desire to play on that stage on a regular basis.
Let's hope the FA Cup semi final is a dress rehearsal for the big day in May. Who knows, we may have another unknown hero ready to stamp their name in the folklore of MUFC.
Andrew is the co-founder of Stretford End Flags, an independent fans group set up to improve the atmosphere and colour within Old Trafford. SEF provide the famous Stretford End banners. Visit stretfordendflags.com for more information - and to get involved.
Follow Stretford End Flags on Twitter: @sef_Mufc
