Robins won’t be rewinding to his Reds glory days
MARK ROBINS is eyeing another FA Cup semi-final magical moment – but will not be dusting down his Manchester United videos to show his Coventry players.
Robins was United’s hero in the last four of the competition in 1990 when he scored a replay winner against Oldham en route to Wembley glory.
But the 54-year-old insists he will not be using his own story as any motivational tool ahead of leading the Sky Blues out against his former club at the national stadium today.
“Have I educated them? Absolutely not,” said Robins, whose winner against Nottingham Forest in the third round that year was long rumoured to have saved Sir Alex Ferguson’s job.
“They were all born after 1990! We just talk about them, it doesn’t matter what I’ve done or did.
“In fairness, I was a substitute in a Cup Final 34 years ago that was a brilliant occasion for Manchester United.
“There were only two substitutes in those days so to get on the bench was something. A lot of talented individuals didn’t make it.
“I’d just broken into the squad and played a part in the run up to the Final. It was a brilliant time, part of my football history but it’s a long time ago.
“Management is totally different from playing and it’s not about me.” United will head into the tie as red-hot favourites against the Championship outfit despite being without a win since knocking out Liverpool in the last round.
Robins says consistency has been their issue, but sees brighter times ahead.
He added:”people and players need to understand the institution that it is and the scrutiny that is always around clubs like
Manchester United in this day and age.
“There’s a focus and demand to win trophies to play in a certain way, like all clubs have, and I think they have top players that can do damage to any team. We’ve seen it. What they are trying to change is the consistency, but it’s a top club.
“They will be a force very soon, even more so than they are now.” Having dispatched Premier League Wolves in the last round, Robins has urged his team to believe they can spring another surprise.
He added: “It’s totally different to anything we have faced before.
“But we can’t go into this game with any doubt. We have to embrace it.
“Players have aspirations to play in the Premier League so this a chance for me to see how they perform against a top team.”
behind to beat their rivals 2-1 in January 2023.
That team contained David de Gea and Fred, who have both since left the club, as well as the likes of Anthony Martial and Christian Eriksen, who will be put up for sale in the summer.
United also got the benefit of a dubious offside call that led to Bruno Fernandes’ equaliser and enjoyed just 29 per cent possession.
They could slip to eighth in the Premier League table today if West Ham win at Crystal Palace after losing 12 of their 32 games this season. With Ten Hag’s hopes of qualifying for the Europa
League possibly hinging on winning the Cup, he is well aware of the role Coventry boss Robins played in saving the skin of legendary United manager Sir Alex Ferguson in 1990.
Salvation
Robins’ winner in the third round at Nottingham Forest bought Ferguson the time to eventually deliver his first trophy.
Although the Dutchman is hoping for the same kind of salvation, he remembers that Van Gaal’s fate was decided by a failure to finish in the top four.
Ten Hag said: “In football it is sometimes like this that one goal off the post can make a huge difference.
Look at ‘66, eh, with
England.
“Only one time they were world champions!
“I have a very good relationship with Louis but we didn’t talk last time about United.
“Everywhere Louis was, he won trophies – and also here at United.
“I know the FA Cup Final was against Crystal Palace, I am aware of the game.
“I am fully aware he was the last manager to win the FA Cup with Manchester United.”