“We were playing at Cheshunt in front of like 20, 30 people with no grass. That’s where we were and I’m very grateful for where we’ve come to now,” the 31-year-old reflected.

“For the club and for me personally, where I’ve come from with Spurs, it’s a massive game.

“We’ve obviously already made history, but hopefully we can come home with some silverware to show our hard work and it’d be really nice.”

The Wembley dream started back in January when Vilahamn revealed his own aspirations to make the final ahead of Tottenham’s fourth-round tie at home to Sheffield United.

Assistant Vicky Jepson took things further when she mocked up a picture of the Spurs bus on its way to Wembley with each stop a different round.

Neville added: “Vicky took it upon herself to show this image and it’s been great. It’s our little Tottenham bus and the journey we’ve come on.

Ashleigh Neville insists Tottenham always had belief they could reach a maiden Women’s FA Cup final this season and are now determined to finish the journey with silverware at Wembley.

Spurs face 2023 runners-up Manchester United at the national stadium on Sunday with a new winner of the competition guaranteed.

It has been a remarkable turnaround for Tottenham in Robert Vilahamn’s debut campaign in charge after they battled relegation last season and finished ninth.

Full-back Neville quit teaching to pursue a full-time football career with Spurs in 2017, when they had just secured promotion to the second tier, and seven years later they are about to play at a sold-out Wembley for the first time.

Such form may not matter in a cup final, however, but the loss of Grace Clinton certainly will. The 20-year-old midfielder is on loan from Manchester United and is ineligible to face her parent club, a huge blow given her performances for Spurs have seen her break into Sarina Wiegman’s England squad. United are unlikely to make the same mistake of loaning her out next season, either.

Marta Thomas, the former United forward who scored Tottenham’s extra-time winner against Leicester in the semi-finals, could return to punish her former team, however. The Scotland international left United last summer and it has proved to be an astute move for Spurs, while too many of the bigger names United brought in to replace her have not made the desired impact.

It throws forward to another big summer for United as they look to close the gap to the WSL’s best, and a historic FA Cup final that may have a bigger say in the future of their most important player. Earps’s popularity among the masses will be evident, with a second sellout crowd in as many years declared ahead of the Wembley final. And once again, all eyes will be on the England goalkeeper, both against Tottenham and in the next few weeks.

FA Cup or not, there are irrefutable signs that United need to strengthen in the summer, while a decision on Skinner’s future will need to be made. The 41-year-old must also win over a fanbase that has taken to chanting “Skinner out” at times this season, as United failed to build on last season’s title challenge. United have lost all but one of their seven league games against top-four sides. They have dropped points against Leicester, West Ham, Brighton and, just two weeks ago, Tottenham.

For Spurs, it was an improvement on the 4-0 thrashing they suffered earlier in the campaign, and if there are clear divides between teams in the WSL table, they sit somewhere as the best of the rest. It has already been a decent debut season for manager Robert Vilahamn: Tottenham triumphed over Leicester in the semi-finals, taking advantage of the result that opened up the possibility of a cup run when they defeated Manchester City on penalties in the quarter-finals.

But Tottenham will have to perform above themselves if they are to defeat United. While Spurs sit sixth, they have won just one of their nine matches against top-half teams in the WSL this season, but a 1-0 victory over north London rivals Arsenal was the signature result of Vilahamn’s first term. The majority of their points have been picked up against teams in the bottom six.

The FA Cup has therefore come to represent an all-or-nothing quest for United. They will be favourites when they take on first-time finalists Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley on Sunday, but that comes with additional pressure, too. United’s season will be a failure should they lose, it will be saved if the club lifts its first trophy, six years on from the formation of the women’s team.

It is also on such margins that Earps’s own future will be decided. The England goalkeeper is also out of contract at the end of the season. Interest from Arsenal is well-known, but there are also set to be offers from top clubs in Europe for a goalkeeper named the world’s best two years in a row. Such a status demands playing at the top level, and winning trophies.

Mary Earps threw down her gloves and let out a roar that banished the frustrations of a disappointing season, for an afternoon at least. Manchester United had finally beaten Chelsea, earning revenge for last season’s Women’s FA Cup final defeat to Emma Hayes’s side to book their return to Wembley.

Before then, as a season teetered on the brink, the holders threw everything they had at United and Earps was forced to pull off a string of brilliant saves, twice denying Lauren James, dragging United through. There were wild celebrations at full-time, but also relief and vindication. “This season has been so hard,” Earps revealed. “It’s been mentally brutal.”

Clearly, that was not the plan. United have regressed dramatically in the Women’s Super League this campaign, falling from second to fifth, from title challengers to 12 points off the Champions League places. It has brought scrutiny and dissent towards the manager, Marc Skinner, who is out of contract at the end of the month and has hardly shown that he merits a new one, with United set to be replaced by Liverpool in the top four.

Manchester United remain without Gabby George, Emma Watson, and Jess Simpson, but Jayde Riviere has returned from injury and could feature

Tottenham will be without midfielder Grace Clinton, who is ineligible against her parent club.

When is the Women’s FA Cup final?

Manchester United vs Tottenham is due to kick off at 2.30pm BST on Sunday 12 May at Wembley Stadium.

How can I watch it?

Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on BBC One, with coverage on the channel from 1.50pm. A live stream will be available via the BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website.

If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch major sporting events, you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN round-up is here to help and includes deals on VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider.

Manchester United and Tottenham meet in the Women’s FA Cup final with both clubs seeking a first triumph in this competition.

Not since the 2005 final, when Charlton beat Everton, has the decider not featured one of Arsenal, Chelsea or Manchester City, with opportunity abounding for two clubs looking to secure a breakthrough win.

Marc Skinner’s side were beaten in the final last year and will hope to have learned from that narrow defeat despite a disappointing WSL campaign.

Spurs, meanwhile, have enjoyed a positive first season under Robert Vilahamn and will hope to mark their progress with significant silverware.

Here’s everything you need to know.

Good morning, and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage and build up to the Women’s FA Cup final today.

We will be bringing you all the action live from Wembley.