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The Manchester United midfielder has had mixed fortunes in finals but stays positive before he faces Tottenham in FA Cup semi-final

Nemanja Matic has sweet memories of playing against Tottenham in an FA Cup semi-final after his glorious 25-yard strike for Chelsea a year ago. The 80th-minute goal led to a final against Arsenal as they won 4-2. Yet Matic is all too aware that disappointment may follow should Manchester United knock out Spurs in the last four on Saturday.

The 29-year-old’s CV shows a chequered experience in finals, including the 2-1 defeat by Arsenal last May. Before that he was an unused substitute when Chelsea won the Cup in May 2010, suspended when they claimed the 2015 League Cup and lost the 2013 Europa League final – against Chelsea – with Benfica.

Related: Arsène Wenger: Arsenal’s miracle worker who lost his touch but kept his values | Amy Lawrence

Related: Premier League and FA Cup semis: what to look out for this weekend

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Mauricio Pochettino emphasised his view that a first FA Cup win in 29 years would not change Tottenham as a club, as they prepare to face Manchester United in Saturday's semi-final at Wembley (kick-off 5.15pm).

This is it for Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur as José Mourinho and Mauricio Pochettino’s men hope to reach the FA Cup final and claim an all-important trophy. Mourinho would detest failing to earn silverware and Pochettino has never won anything in a nine-year managerial career. Each manager will be intent on reaching May’s Wembley showpiece. Jamie Jackson

Saturday 5.15pm BBC One

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Ahead of their first Premier League game as confirmed champions, Manchester City could be given a guard of honour by Swansea - but is it compulsory? We take a look at the tradition and look at some famous past examples.

Paul Merson returns with his predictions for this weekend's Premier League fixtures, and casts his eye on the FA Cup semi-finals to boot.

All the latest transfer news and gossip, with Real Madrid's Dani Ceballos reportedly on his way to Liverpool.

Charlie Nicholas still believes Jose Mourinho gives Manchester United the edge over Tottenham in their FA Cup semi-final on Saturday, despite a largely disappointing season.

Mauricio Pochettino insists Tottenham will not get to the next level by winning the FA Cup.

Catch up with all of the highlights from the four Premier League matches played this midweek.

• Spurs preparing for semi-final against Manchester United
• ‘It is not going to move the club to a different level’

Mauricio Pochettino says that an FA Cup triumph this season would not change Tottenham’s life, as he looked ahead to Saturday’s semi-final against Manchester United. The manager did not waver from his long established view about the importance of the domestic cups and, in the process, he set up an intriguing discussion point.

Facing him at Wembley is José Mourinho, a manager who is obsessed with every piece of silverware – all the way down to the Community Shield. To Mourinho, trophies provide the validation whereas for Pochettino, it is the work and the processes which do that. Does Mourinho’s approach make his players more focused, equipping them with an extra couple of percentage points, hardening their mentality to do whatever it takes to win? Or can Pochettino’s more relaxed vibe offer a platform for his players to express themselves?

Related: Liverpool’s success without Coutinho is testament to Klopp’s genius | Liam Rosenior

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The Tottenham player can be hard to characterise but then he has always been one to make unorthodox decisions

Never mind that his name is a mystery. A player who, at the age of 30, is improving to the point where one of his former managers describes him as the best midfielder in the world and Mauricio Pochettino has ranked him alongside Diego Maradona and Ronaldinho deserves to be remembered.

But how? As Moussa Dembélé, which was how he was known from birth until a couple of years ago? Or as Mousa Dembélé, as everybody writes his name now? Mousa (let’s go with the latest version) had been coy about it. “It’s a long story,” he told a Belgian journalist before Euro 2016. Then he revealed in a Belgian magazine it was in fact a short, simple one. When he extended his passport his name was put down with one ‘s’ by accident. Dembélé said he decided to keep it that way.

Related: Andy Carroll surrounded by toddlers – Football Weekly Extra

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Mauricio Pochettino believes Jose Mourinho is doing a "fantastic job" at Manchester United and says the Portuguese manager is still one of the best in the business.

You can watch the Premier League midweek goals as they go in on your mobile with the Sky Sports app.

Former Tottenham striker Les Ferdinand believes Harry Kane acted honestly when he claimed a goal initially awarded to team-mate Christian Eriksen.

The PFA Team of the Year has been announced - and sparked debate on social media. But who would make it into your best team of 2017/18?

Who should win the PFA Players' Player of the Year award this season? Vote here from the star-studded list of nominees.