Preview: Coventry City v Manchester United FA Cup semi-final
It sees the Sky Blues boss take on his former club
Last updated 21st Apr 2024
Mark Robins insists his FA Cup reunion with Manchester United should not distract from his Coventry side's own dreams of Wembley glory.
Robins was at United between 1988-1992 - just ahead of the fabled 'Class of 92' at Old Traffor..
His match-winning goal in the third-round match against Nottingham Forest in 1990 is widely credited with keeping Sir Alex Ferguson in a job, and he was a late substitute as the Red Devils beat Crystal Palace in the final to kick off a trophy-laden golden era.
Today, he finds himself back at the national stadium in an FA Cup semi-final, with the fate of another United manager - the under-pressure Erik ten Hag - potentially in his hands.
Yet the 54-year-old has been happy to leave the past in the past and has not been bending his squad's ears with tales of times gone by.
"Absolutely not. They were all born after 1990, so none of them (know about it)," he said on the eve of the game.
"I don't speak about things like that. It doesn't matter what I did, I just talk about them. This is totally different and management is totally different to playing.
"It's not about me, it's all about the players and the preparation and how they can execute against a top, top team.
"These players have got an aspiration to play in the Premier League so for me, for them, it's a chance to see how they perform, regardless of anything else around the game."
Pressure on Manchester United boss, Erik ten Hag
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag "can't be bothered" with criticism of the job he is doing at Old Trafford and claims he has only been able to pick his strongest team once in 18 months.
The Dutchman delivered an encouraging first season, winning the League Cup and finishing in the top four, but this campaign has been far more difficult.
They were knocked out of the Champions League at the group stage and are in a battle to finish in the top six in the Premier League, with his position coming under scrutiny following Sir Jim Ratcliffe's minority purchase and takeover of the football operations.
United can salvage their season by winning the FA Cup and they aim to reach a second successive final when they host Championship Coventry on Sunday.
Ten Hag insists he shuts out the noise when it comes to speculation on his future.
"I don't put energy into this, if I'm judged fairly or not," he said. "I know what we are doing here, why I'm here, to bring trophies, to also create economic value, so we are working on those and in a process you have setbacks.
"I look at this and can see it realistically, so I see the nuance, some comments miss that, but I can't be bothered about it, can't go into emotions.
"I see it realistic, rationale, and I'm only focussing on my team, to improve the team and individuals. That's what I'm here for."
Fixture criticism from Manchester City boss, Pep Guardiola
The winner will take on Manchester City in the FA Cup Final on the 25th May - back at Wembley.
They beat Chelsea 1-0 yesterday. City boss Pep Guardiola has since hit out at the scheduling of match - saying it was "unacceptable" that it came less than 72 hours after their Champions League defeat to Real Madrid.
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