The showpiece event took place at the Millenium Stadium in Cardiff due to Wembley Stadium renovation work at the time. After beating Exeter City, Middlesbrough, Everton, Southampton and Newcastle on the way to the final, United were pitted against familiar foes Arsenal for the silverware.
Ferguson&aposs side had faced Arsene Wenger&aposs men four times prior to the final. The Reds had won both league fixtures and a League Cup clash but the Gunners had won the Community Shield in the season opener.
Having won the competition the previous year, United were looking to reclaim their crown and also lift their first trophy of the campaign, like their opponents Arsenal. After 120 minutes of action, the teams could not be separated meaning the 2005 FA Cup final was the first one to be decided by penalties.
Although neither side could find the back of the net in open play, both were lethal from the spot apart from Scholes who missed United&aposs second penalty. This gave Patrick Vieira the chance to win the game which he duly did leaving the Reds trophyless at the end of the 2004/05 season.
