Coventry’s Robins plots to upset United
Mark Robins scored the goal that helped launch Manchester United’s era of dominance. Now he is plotting to deepen their misery in the FA Cup semi-final today as Coventry boss.
The 54-year-old scored against Nottingham Forest in the third round of the competition in 1990, a goal that turned out to be a turning point in the history of United and was widely credited with saving Alex Ferguson’s job.
Robins also scored the winner in the semi-final against Oldham and United went on to lift the cup, the first of a cascade of trophies under Ferguson, who oversaw their last English Premier League title win in 2013.
The former forward, who came through the youth ranks at Old Trafford, played just 61 times for United but he has a special place in the hearts of the club’s fans.
Now he has another chance to influence the history of United by heaping the pressure on Erik ten Hag, who has had a dismal second season in charge. Despite their woes, United will be firm favourites at Wembley to progress to the final but the result is far from a foregone conclusion.
United are winless in their past four matches since their dramatic 4-3 quarter-final victory over Liverpool, with their hopes of Champions League football next season all but over.
The good news for Ten Hag’s men is that 1997 FA Cup winners Coventry have themselves stuttered in recent weeks, losing three of their past four games to slip off the pace in their attempt to make it to the Championship play-offs.
But Coventry are certain to get opportunities against a United team who concede a remarkable number of chances, with in-form striker Ellis Simms and Haji Wright posing a goal threat.
Robins believes the problems at United are overblown and they remain “the biggest club in the world”. He said: “People, pundits, are talking in a derisory way about Manchester United and what they’re doing, how they are performing.
“For people who are talking about Manchester United are this or that, or they concede lots of shots – you’re talking about a team that is full of talented players, top international players. We know they are clearly favourites to win this game, by a million miles, simple as that.”
Coventry are trying to become the first second-tier club to reach the final since Cardiff in 2008.
“We know the manager, a former United player, striker, his long period there, he’s doing a fantastic job there,” Ten Hag said. “So, we know a lot about them. Of course they are dangerous, they are in the semi-final. It’s logical.”