Wembley beckons for four teams this weekend as the semi-finals of the oldest cup competition, the FA Cup, get underway. Premier League giants Manchester United take on Championship club Coventry City in the capital on Sunday.
Wembley Awaits: Coventry City vs Man United
Championship Underdogs Aim for Wembley Glory
Coventry City truly embodies the magic of the FA Cup as they beat Wolverhampton Wanderers in the quarter-finals in a dramatic 3-2 win.
The Sky Blues were much the better side in the game and were leading 1-0 with 10 minutes to go. Despite eventually emerging victorious, an inspired comeback from Wolves saw them lead 2-1 heading into the final stages of the game. But the Sky Blues refused to surrender. They dominated possession throughout the game and created a plethora of chances, but were repeatedly denied by a resolute Wolves defense until the dying moments.
Nine minutes of stoppage time was announced and Coventry equalized in the seventh minute of nine to try and force extra time. But striker Haji Wright had other ideas as he scored a mere minutes later, sending the travelling Coventry City fans as well as the dugout into a frenzy, as they booked their place at Wembley. This is the Sky Blues’ best cup run since their 1986/87 FA Cup win, where they also triumphed with a late goal in extra time.
Manager Mark Robins has transformed the club, taking them from League Two to Premier League promotion contenders. A missed penalty in last season’s play-off final denied them Premier League promotion, but are back in the conversation this season although they need to make up some ground.
Robins has a personal connection with the FA Cup and Sunday’s opponent Manchester United. His goal in the 1989/1990 FA Cup run famously kept Sir Alex Ferguson in the job, and they went on to win the title. He is fondly remembered by Manchester United fans as the prolific striker who came through the Academy and played a crucial role in their FA Cup victory.
Mark Robins, with a personal vendetta against Manchester United dating back to his FA Cup winning goal in 1990, will be aiming to deliver another blow to their hopes. He’ll be looking to lead Coventry City to a famous FA Cup final appearance, while an FA Cup win could be just what Erik ten Hag needs to keep his job at Manchester United.
Can Man United Overcome Defensive Woes Against Resurgent Coventry?
Manchester United’s only chance to salvage what has been an abysmal season lies at Wembley in the FA Cup, and Coventry City stand in their way. The Red Devils have endured a tough 23/24 season so far, but a FA Cup title win would surely provide some relief for the red half of Manchester. United came close last season, ultimately losing to neighbors Manchester City in the final, but are back in the capital as they seek redemption.
With their league form taking a hit, the FA Cup now has added incentive for the Red Devils, with the winner guaranteed a Europa League berth. Man United are unlikely to make the top four, and on current form looks likely to finish in a UEFA Conference League position, the third tier of European football. The fans are desperate for Manchester United to at least finish in a Europa League position, but it will be a close race as they sit in 7th place, level on points with Newcastle United in sixth and a significant 13 points behind the top four with six games remaining.
United have been in a slump, last winning against Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-finals and have been stuck in a rut at the moment. At times they have been unable to see out games when leading, while on other occasions they have just not been able to get into the groove. In the last four games, they have thrice conceded stoppage time goals to take away three points from under their noses. The Red Devils’ midfield and defense have been repeatedly exposed by inferior opposition, which will give Coventry City confidence going into Sunday’s tie.
Man United are at their weakest defensively with four center-backs on the treatment table, and having to rely on a 19-year-old inexperienced Willy Kambwala to fill in alongside Harry Maguire.
Rumours swirl about Erik ten Hag’s future at the club, with neither results nor the quality of football being up to the mark. New owners and new reign will begin at Old Trafford from next season and the Dutchman will be aiming to win the FA Cup, and hope that it will be enough to keep him in the job for the next season.
When & Where?
Date: Sunday, 21st April 2024.
Time: 3.30 pm GMT.
Venue: Wembley, London, UK.
Match Officials
Referee: Robert Jones.
Assistant referees: Ian Hussin and Neil Davies.
Fourth Official: Thomas Bramall.
VAR: Peter Bankes.
Support VAR: Michael Salisbury.
Assistant VAR: Nick Greenhalgh.
Team News
Coventry City will be without a couple of players for the semi-final. Winger Tatsuhiro Sakamoto and midfielder Jamie Allen are ruled out due to long-term injuries. Kasey Palmer also misses the match after picking up his second yellow card against Wolves in the FA Cup competition, resulting in a suspension.
Manchester United faces a defensive crisis with Luke Shaw, Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof and Tyrell Malacia all confirmed to miss out. Veteran defender Jonny Evans has a chance to be fit for the game, which would be crucial for United as he would provide some much-needed cover in central defense. Scott McTominay, who missed the last two games, is expected to be available for Sunday’s match.
Antony, who was ruled out of the draw against Bournemouth with an injury, was spotted in training this week. However, Anthony Martial remains out for the Red Devils and is unlikely to feature at all this season.
Key Players
Ellis Simms
The former Everton striker is having a terrific season for the Sky Blues, with 18 goals to his name already. He has four games left in the league to “help them secure a playoff spot, with Coventry currently eighth in the standings. The Sky Blues have to make up a eight-point gap to get into the final playoff spot, but time is running out for them. Simms and Haji Wright have struck up a brilliant partnership and worked in tandem to push Coventry past Wolves in the quarter-finals.
Simms, a boyhood Manchester City fan, is also a product of their academy and hence has an added incentive to perform against United. All eyes of the travelling Coventry support will be on Simms, and they will hope he can lead them to a historic FA Cup final.
Bruno Fernandes
The Man United captain has had an underwhelming 2023/24 season by the standards he has set in his last few seasons at Old Trafford, but marshaled his teammates in their last game against Bournemouth. Fernandes has been in fine form the last three games, scoring four goals, including a brace against the Cherries to secure a point at the Vitality Stadium.
He has drawn criticism as well as praise for his displays this season, but while his output may have slightly declined, the United skipper is one of the hardest workers on the pitch, and often covers more distance than any other player in a game. The Portuguese is the second top-scorer for his side in all competitions this season and tops the assist charts for Man United.
Predicted Lineups
Coventry City predicted XI vs Man United: Bradley Collins; Joel Latibeaudiere, Bobby Thomas, Liam Kitching, Jay Dasilva; Ben Sheaf, Josh Eccles; Milan van Ewijk, Callum O’Hare, Haji Wright; Ellis Simms.
Man United predicted XI vs Coventry City: Andre Onana; Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Willy Kambwala, Aaron Wan-Bissaka; Casemiro, Kobbie Mainoo; Alejandro Garnacho, Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford; Rasmus Højlund.
