SEMI-FINAL specialist Frank Stapleton reckons nobody should expect a thriller when Manchester United and Blackburn clash in tonight's second leg.

But he also says that's the reason why Mark Hughes's men have every chance of reaching their second final in five years.

The former Rovers striker, who reached six major finals in his playing career, is set for even more cup joy as two of his former clubs go head to head at Old Trafford for the right to take on Wigan in Cardiff next month.

Following the 1-1 draw at Ewood Park two weeks ago, United seem to be favourites to press home their advantage.

But Stapleton, who played 265 games for the Red Devils before spells at Ajax and Derby led to him joining Rovers for two years in 1989, thinks Rovers will try to close the game down and ensure this is no foregone conclusion.

Stapleton said: "This is a one-legged semi-final now so there will be nothing in it and a tight game.

"Neither side will want it to be open but because of the run Blackburn are on they will be confident they can keep it tight. That will be key for them.

"The result is the only thing that matters. If you play well nobody remembers you - especially if you lose in a semi-final.

"Cup games are usually the only good games these days, like Luton v Liverpool the other week. The Premiership as a whole is very defensive now.

"So I think tonight's game will be a bit more like that. It's pretty tense and there's a lot at stake.

"Blackburn will make it very, very difficult for United and if they score first it will really suit the way they play."

Stapleton is better qualified than most to talk about semi-finals - he was part of the Arsenal team that became the first to reach three successive FA Cup finals from 1978 to 1980.

He also played at Wembley four further times for Manchester United - winning the FA Cup in 1983 after a replay with Brighton and in 1985 against Everton.

But 1983 was the year United were denied a cup double when Liverpool beat them in the League Cup final, and it was the nearest Stapleton got to plugging that particular gap in hs medal collection.

Despite his failure to win it, however, he doesn't feel the League Cup is under-valued at Old Trafford, especially as the Premiership and Champions League are out of reach.

"The Premiership is Chelsea's and United are out of the Champions League so there 's only two things they can win," said Stapleton, now 49.

"They have to put their all into both now. If they end up winning this and the FA Cup it will be some form of success for them.

"But they are down to the bare bones with a few injured and suspended tonight so I think that evens out the fact they are at home."

Most of Stapleton's best years at United were shared with Rovers boss Mark Hughes, the pair striking up a formidable strike partnership in the mid-1980s.

And although Stapleton admits he didn't spot a manager in the making, he isn't surprised by Hughes's will to win every competition he goes in for.

"Mark always took these things seriously because he is a winner and wants to win every single game," Stapleton added.