Good afternoon and welcome to our live text coverage of the FA Cup semi-final clash between Premier League heavyweights Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley Stadium. This promises to be a firecracker of a contest between two of the competition's favourites. Stand by for team news from the national stadium...

UNITED XI: De Gea; Valencia, Jones, Smalling, Young; Matic, Herrera, Pogba; Lingard, Lukaku, Sanchez

SPURS XI: Vorm; Trippier, Sanchez, Vertonghen, Davies; Dier Dembele, Eriksen, Dele; Son, Kane

Let's start with United, and the big news for them is a start for Alexis Sanchez in the attack. It was widely reported that the former Arsenal forward would be dropped in favour of either Anthony Martial or Marcus Rashford, but Mourinho has played the Chilean up top alongside Romelu Lukaku.

All in all, it's five changes from the side which defeated Bournemouth in the Premier League last time out. In comes Lukaku, Ashley Young, Antonio Valencia and Nemanja Matic.

UNITED SUBS: Pereira, Darmian, Lindelof, Fellaini, Mata, Martial, Rashford

Perhaps the most newsworthy point to come from the United bench is the absence of Luke Shaw. His omission from the matchday squad is sure to fuel rumours of a summer exit. Meanwhile, Mourinho has all of his bases covered in reserve. There's extra firepower in the shape of Martial and Rashford, plenty of midfield options and Darmian is there to beef up the United defence.

Over to Spurs, and they have made six changes from the 1-1 draw with Brighton in midweek, including a start between the sticks for FA Cup regular Michel Vorm.

Spurs have recalled a number of key players, with Kieran Trippier, Davinson Sanchez, Eric Dier, Mousa Dembele and Dele Alli all back in the starting XI, which means talismanic striker and Tottenham captain Harry Kane should enjoy plenty of service this afternoon.

SPURS SUBS: Lloris, Aurier, Alderweireld, Wanyama, Sissoko, Lamela, Lucas

Like United, Spurs have the entirety of the pitch covered when it comes to their bench. Lamela offers extra firepower, Lucas could be a game-changer with his creativity and Aurier and Alderweireld give the London outfit extra defensive options if they need them.

It's a perfect day for football, with the sun shining over Wembley and temperatures in London hitting 24C, but which of these two teams will be of a sunnier disposition come the end of the game?

Let's take a look at some of the data that matters ahead of this tantalising FA Cup semi-final, and we'll start with some of United's vital statistics.

This is the Red Devils' 29th appearance in an FA Cup semi-final, which equals the record set by Arsenal last season. Although that sounds overwhelmingly positive, they have lost two of their last three games at this stage of the competition.

In 2009, they were dumped out by Everton and two years later in was local rivals Manchester City who defeated them in the semis. Before those two reverses, United had won their last 13 FA Cup semi-finals of the spin, which is rather impressive.

Jose Mourinho is seeking a personal record this afternoon. He could become only the third manager to win the FA Cup with two different clubs, following in the footsteps of Herbert Chapman and Billy Walker, who was the last person to achieve the feat when he won the trophy with Nottingham Forest in 1959.

United's front pairing of Lukaku and Sanchez could be key for them this afternoon, as both players have a great record in this competition.

Lukaku has found the net in every round in this season's tournament, giving him a total of five, while Sanchez loves a goal at Wembley, having hit five in four matches at this ground, including winners in two semi-finals for Arsenal.

Now let's take a look at Spurs' FA Cup record as they continue their bit for a first piece of silverware under Pochettino.

Don't bet against Spurs finding the net this afternoon. They are the highest scorers in this season's FA Cup, with 17 strikes in six matches.

Pochettino's men, however, don't have the best record at this stage in the competition. They've lost all of their last seven FA Cup semi-finals, earning themselves an unwanted record.

If they fall at the same hurdle today, they will become the first team to lose two FA Cup semi-finals in as many seasons since Nottingham Forest in 1987-88 and 1988-89.

Son Heung-min is the one to watch for Tottenham today as his form in the FA Cup has been phenomenal. The Korean has scored nine goals and registered five assists in 15 matches, which is better than any player from any team has managed in the last three seasons.

Erik Lamela could be given some game time off the bench this afternoon, as he also has an impressive record in this competition, with two goals and three assists in his last five games. Could he be the ace up Pochettino's sleeve?

HEAD-TO-HEAD: The head-to-head record between these two teams in evenly balanced in the FA Cup. They've played each other 10 times, progressing five times each.

It's United who claim the superior record where recent cup ties are concerned. They have beaten Spurs three times in a row in this competiton, knocking them out in 1997, 2008 and 2009. The Whites' most recent victory came in a third-round replay in January 1980.

Pre-match quotes from the two managers incoming...

MOURINHO: "I don't think it's an advantage [for Spurs] at all. I played one cup final in Roma's stadium against Roma and I won. I played a cup final in my stadium and I lost. So I think when you go to these big moments with these big decisions, semi-finals, finals, I don't think it's an advantage. In some countries the cup semi-final is played home and away, not [in a] neutral ground, like in England. That's just football." (via BBC Sport)

POCHETTINO: "It's fantastic if Southampton, Chelsea, Manchester United or Tottenham will win the FA Cup. Is it going to change our life? I don't believe, I don't believe. Who needs it more, I don't know. We are going to try and fight to win. It would be fantastic to finish the season with a trophy. I don't think it's about need or not need." (via Sky Sports News)

How about the view of a neutral? Dimitar Berbatov has played for both teams and he gave his thoughts on the match to the official FA website beforehand...

BERBATOV: "I don't know what will happen, but I just want to watch good football. Like the great goals United have scored this season; like the goal Dele Alli scored against Chelsea last month. The touch for that goal! Ugh! Unbelievable! I was going crazy. I want to be jumping around and shouting 'Oh my God', when I watch football. That's how football should be played and I hope that's how it is at Wembley."

PREDICTION: We've poured over the stats and the two managers have had their say, so how about a prediction? I'm going with a 2-1 win for Spurs. Both sides are in decent form and have phenominal players, but I think Tottenham's temporary residency at Wembley is what will help them nick it today. Mourinho denies this is a factor, but this is basically a home match for Spurs.

Here's a quick reminder of how United got to Wembley: They defeated lower-league oposition in Derby and Yeovil Town in the third and fourth rounds, before seeing off Huddersfield away and Brighton in the quarter-finals.

Spurs have played more matches in the FA Cup than United, as both Newport and Rochdale took them to replays after they defeated AFC Wimbldeon in round three. They were more convincing against Swansea in the quarters, beating the Swans 3-0, and let's not forget that emphatic 6-1 demolition of Newport when the two teams met for the replay.

Here's a recap of United's starting XI: De Gea; Valencia, Jones, Smalling, Young; Matic, Herrera, Pogba; Lingard, Lukaku, Sanchez

And Spurs: Vorm; Trippier, Sanchez, Vertonghen, Davies; Dier Dembele, Eriksen, Dele; Son, Kane

Kickoff is moments away now. Stand by for minute-by-minute updates from sunny Wembley Stadium...

KICKOFF! United get the first half underway. Which of these two teams will face either Chelsea or Southampton in the final? Stay tuned to find out.

United give the ball away early on and Spurs surge forward. The move ends when Harry Kane lets fly from outside the area, his strike taking a deflection on its way over the bar to give us the first corner of the afternoon.

Spurs win a second corner as Son makes a mazy run into the penalty era, only for Valencia to steal the ball from his feet. The United man can't prevent it from going behind but Tottenham squander the resulting set piece.

The sunshine over Wembley has given way to dark clouds now. There could be a storm on the way, which may have a bearing on the action on the pitch.

United win their first corner as Trippier heads the ball behind. Sanchez steps up to take it but his delivery is poor, falling stright at the feet of Eriksen, who hoists the ball clear.

United stage a blistering attack as Lingard breaks free along the right channel. The England international plays a low pass into the six-yard box but Vertonghen is on hand to make the interception and clear his lines convincingly. It's been a high-tempo start to the afternoon, but no clear-cut chances yet.

CHANCE! Lingard goes on another good run out wide and squares a pass to Sanchez in the box, but the Chilean tumbles and goes to ground. United keep the move alive as Matic swings a cross toewards the centre of the box towards Lukaku, who's header sails over the bar. That wasn't too far away!

Spurs take the lead at Wembley! Christian Eriksen provides a wonderful delivery, hoisting a deft cross towards the far post where Alli was lurking. The England man slides the ball home from close range to send the Spurs fans into raptures! Game on!

With a lead now on their side, stats like these will give the Tottenham fans confidence about the outcome of this one...

CHANCE! United are on the ropes here! Son gains possesion on the right and whips an inviting cross to the back post for Kane to latch onto. The striker, however, fails to connect by mere inches. That needed only the slightest of touches and it would have been 2-0.

Alli is proving quite the handful for the United defence and almost carved them open again following a neat one-two with Son, but Jones tracked back to make the interception.

Sanchez chases down a long ball but Davinson Sanchez uses his pace and strength to outmuscle the forward and beat him to it. At the other end, Valencia does well to hold off Son as he rushes into the box with the momentum of a runaway train.

Eriksen, who provided Spurs' assist, is in dynamite form in this season's FA Cup. Check his stats out...

United have the chance to apply some pressure as Young delivers a free kick into the penalty area. Harry Kane, of all people, is on hand to head it clear. The Red Devils regain possesion and hoist the ball back into the danger zone, but it's Kane who makes the clearance once again.

United have been second-best in the early stages of this contest but they're back on level terms now! It's Alexis Sanchez who gets the goal, getting his head to an inch-perfect cross from Paul Pogba inside the box to nod the ball beyond Vorm in the Spurs goal. We've got a game on our hands now!

Sanchez is often a big-game player and he always rises to the occasion at Wembley...

BOOKING! Valencia becomes the first player to go into the book at Wembley for a lunge on Alli. Looking at the replay, he was lucky to stay on the pitch as that was a rash challenge.

BOOKING! Tensions are boiling over slightly as Son joins Valencia in the book for poleaxing Sanchez. Again, the referee made the right call as the South Korean was clumsy when attempting to take the ball.

The two teams are looking more evenly-matched now after an opening dominated by Tottenham. United are looking more confident, they're moving the ball around better and have shown ambition in the final third.

It's been a more open game than anyone would have predicted. Who would have thought that we would have seen two goals in the first half hour of a contest between a pair of teams with two of the best defensive records in the Premier League?

A moment of madness from Herrera gifts Spurs a free kick around 30 yards from goal. He went in late on Kane and Tottenham have a shooting opportunity...

Rather than going for goal, Eriksen picks out Trippier in the danger zone but the wing-back's cross is scrambled clear. Moments later, Spurs win another free kick in a good position as Pogba fouls Son.

United are looking tighter at the back now, despite giving away a couple of soft free kicks. Spurs are pressing them and searching for a way through, but they're absorbing everything the Whites are throwing at the them.

Son meets Alli's long ball with a powerful half-volley that flies the wrong side of the post, but it wouldn't have counted anyway, since the linesman raised his flag moments before the South Korean pulled the trigger.

Harry Kane plays the ball long and straight into the arms of De Gea. It's hard to say whether the England man was trying to pick out Alli with a ball over the top there, or catch the Spanish goalkeeper off his line. Either way, it was uneffective.

A good ball from Eriksen finds Son in the danger zone. The Korean attempts to play a cross into the box but it's deflected behind for a corner, which United do nothing with.

SHOT! Pogba gains possession just outside the box. Lingard is screaming for it but the Frenchman lets fly himself with a curler, forcing Vorm to produce acrobatics and turn the ball behind for a corner.

Hererra swipes at the resulting corner and cracks it on the half-volley, blazing his effort over the crossbar.

There will be at least two minutes of stoppage time to play in the first half.

POST! Eric Dier lets fly from range, his effort deflects off Chris Smalling and comes back off the post. David De Gea was a mere spectator there! So close!

It's half time at Wembley Stadium and we head into the break with this FA Cup tie evenly balanced.

Alexis Sanchez's header cancelled out Dele Alli's early strike and it's been a good, open cup tie so far. Both sides have had several opportunities to take the lead since then, most notably Spurs when Dier hit the post in stoppage time.

Spurs have claimed more of the possession with 57% to United's 43% but both sides have registered six shots on goal. Two of United's were on target and only one of Spurs' found the mark.

Although Spurs have seen more of the ball early on, United have created some good chances and proved more than equal to their opponents once they had settled into the match.

Both managers have plenty in reserve on their benches this afternoon. The introduction of Martial or Rashford for United would give them some extra firepower, while Lamela among the Tottenham subs loves an FA Cup goal.

Neither side is dominating the other, so don't expect either to throw on an extra defender in the second period, but Mourinho might be tempted to firm up his midfield with the introduction of either Mata or Fellaini.

United's aim for the second period has to be closing down Christian Eriksen more effectively. The Dane has been involved in virtually every Tottenham move so far and has been allowed to operate unchecked for much of the first period.

Alli has also been a creative force for Spurs, so it's down to Pogba, Herrera and Matic to raise their game and start winning that midfield battle.

KICKOFF! Spurs get the second half underway. Let's hope it's as entertaining as the first!

This joke is showing no signs of growing old!

Son releases Davis wide on the left and his cross clears the penalty area to find Trippier on the other side, but the wing-back scuffs his cross and gifts possession back to United. Good pressing play from Spurs but the end product just wasn't there.

BOOKING! No goalmouth action in the second period but we do have a booking. Alli is shown the yellow card for clattering into the back of Herrera. Another easy decision for the official.

Pogba plays a free kick long into the Spurs box, which Vertonghen does well to head clear but the move breaks down when the referee blows for a push on a Tottenham player.

Sanchez spearheads a United attack and works the ball into the box with a lofted pass towards Lingard. The England international races into the box and goes to ground under pressure from Vertonghen. The United fans want a penalty but the replay shows the referee was right to turn his back as Lingard simply lost his footing.

Son races into the United box but Herrera is on hand to dispossess him, doing so a little too easily. United attempt to stage a break but only make it as far as the centre circle as Dier comes sliding in on Lukaku, stealing the ball from the big Belgian's feet with precision.

NO TAKERS! Trippier unleashes Eriksen along the right channel and the Dane gets half a yard on his marker to flash a dangerous ball across the face of the United goal. However, there are no white shirts in the box to take advantage of his delivery.

CHANCE! Alli plays a great ball over the top to pick out Kane in the box. Smalling puts pressure on the England striker but he manages to get a shot away. The Red Devils defender, however, produces a vital block to guide the ball wide for a goalkick. You often see those rebound into the net!

The opening stages of the second period have been far tighter than any of the first half. Spurs are playing high up the pitch but their build-up play has been more cautious.

The second period explodes into life as United power forward through Lukaku. The striker loses possession but Herrera is on hand to pick up the pieces. He shoots first time from a tight angle and gets enough power behind his effort to beat Vorm and find the bottom corner.

CHANCE! Lukaku hasn't really made any kind of mark on this game, although his presence has been strong. The Belgian international has just chased down a Pogba ball and fired a shot into the side-netting, reminding his opponents that he's on hand to punish them if they give him an inch in the danger zone.

Lucas Moura has stripped off his tracksuit and looks ready to come on for Spurs.

SUBSTITUTION: Confirmation of that Spurs switch-up, Lucas has come on to replace Ben Davies in an attacking change for Tottenham. The Brazilian should add creativity and a goal threat to the wing.

United are edging the midfield battle now. Pogba has come into the game more and Herrera was able to pop up unchecked in the final third to put his side in front with the second goal. Mourinho will be delighted with how things are going at the moment.

Spurs seem to have altered their shape following that substitution. Dier has moved to the centre of defence, with Vertonghen at left-back. Eriksen and Alli are playing in advanced midfield roles, and Lucas and Son are out wide.

CHANCE! The ball falls kindly for Eriksen in the danger zone and the Dane unleashes a stringing strike. It's dipping from the moment it leaves his boot but ends up just wide of the left post.

Spurs win a free kick in a good position as Valencia brings down Alli. They make a change before taking the kick, throwing on Victor Wanyama for Mousa Dembele.

Alli swpies at the ball when play resumes, putting it well over the bar.

SUBSTITUTION: United make their first change, throwing on Darmian for Valencia, who appears to have taken a knock but was also on a booking. Young takes on the captain's armband.

BOOKING! Eric Dier is the latest player to enter the book, for a stamp on Lingard.

SUBSTITUTION: United make a second change in quick succession, this time throwing on Marcus Rashford for Lingard, whose final contribution to the match was being stamped on.

Time is running out for Spurs and there was defintely a sense of their heads dropping when that second goal went in, which will disappoint Pochettino and their fans alike.

BOOKING! Rashford spearheads a blistering United break, which hits a snag when Wanyama wins the ball with a powerful tackle. The United striker is booked for diving under the Tottenham man's challenge and the replay shows that there was indeed simulation on his part.

Sanchez is back defending for United and he concedes a free kick in a dangerous position for a foul on Vertonghen. The resuling cross finds the head of Lamela, but sails harmlessly over the crossbar. Just two minutes plus stoppage time for Spurs to keep their hopes of silverware alive!

Although Lukaku hasn't been given an inch in this match, his assist for United's second goal helped him maintain an impressive record in this competiton:

There will be five minutes of stoppage time to play. The fourth official's board is greeted by a roar from both sets of supporters.

GREAT DEFENDING! Rashford races clear following good counter-attacking play from United. All that stands between him and a one-on-one with Vorm is Dier, but the defender stands his ground and produces a great challenge to win the ball and clear his lines.

Just seconds remain now... Jose Mourinho is on the verge of guiding United into the FA Cup final!

Manchester United are into the FA Cup final! It was a close game, but the Red Devils just about earned it, scrapping it out at times and producing something special at others. Spurs' rotten run in FA Cup semi-finals continues and their only hope of winning silverware this season has gone up in smoke. United will face either Chelsea or Southampton in the final.

That's all we have time for at Wembley Stadium, where goals from Alexis Sanchez and Ander Herrera have won it for the Red Devils, but stick with Sports Mole for all of the fallout from today's big semi-final. Many thanks for reading!