Manchester United travel to Wembley this afternoon to face Championship side Coventry City in the second FA Cup semi-final with the knowledge that this competition is their final chance of winning a trophy this season.
The Red Devils defeated Liverpool in a thrilling contest in the last round but have not been able to build on that momentum in the Premier League. They have not won since that clash at Old Trafford settling for draws against Brentford, Liverpool and Bournemouth whilst suffering a heart-breaking last minute loss to Chelsea.
Erik ten Hag will see this match as the perfect time to face lower league opposition with his team having something to prove as they attempt to reach the FA Cup final for the second time in as many years but Coventry will pose a genuine threat at Wembley today.
Currently eighth in the second division, the Sky Blues are only one win away from the Premier League play-offs and have reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup for the first time since they won the trophy in 1987.
Follow all the action from Wembley below plus get the latest odds and tips for the match right here:
Coventry City vs Manchester United LIVE
Coventry City and Manchester United clash at Wembley in the second FA Cup semi-final
Winner will take on Manchester City in the final after they defeated Chelsea 1-0 on Saturday
122’ DISALLOWED! – Torp scores for Coventry but the goal is rueld out for offside (COV 3-3 MUN)
116’ CROSSBAR! – Simms hits the woodwork late in extra time (COV 3-3 MUN)
94’ CROSSBAR! – Fernandes drills the woodwork in extra time (COV 3-3 MUN)
90+5’ GOAL! – Coventry complete comeback with late penalty (COV 3-3 MUN)
79’ GOAL! – O’Hare’s deflected effort beats Onana (COV 2-3 MUN)
71’ GOAL! – Simms turns the ball home for Coventry (COV 1-3 MUN)
58’ GOAL! – Fernandes adds a third with slick finish (COV 0-3 MUN)
45+1 GOAL! – Maguire’s powers header home on stroke of half-time (COV 0-2 MUN)
23’ GOAL! – McTominay tap in puts United into the lead (COV 0-1 MUN)
Coventry City FC 3 – 3 Manchester United FC
Penalties: Coventry 0-0 Man Utd
18:15 , Mike Jones
Okay then, let’s reset. The players are preparing for the penalty shootout after that late drama denied Coventry a win. Manchester United look like they’re taking the first penalty.
Casemiro has the ball in hand.
ET full-time! Coventry 3-3 Man Utd
18:13 , Mike Jones
124 mins: It’s going to be penalties. What a game, what a semi-final. Coventry almost had the fairytale ending but they’ll need to defeat Man Utd in a shootout.
What a ride we’ve had this afternoon at Wembley and there’s still more drama to come. Which team will get over the line?
ET DISALLOWED! Coventry 4-3 Man Utd
18:11 , Mike Jones
122 mins: No Goal! Coventry are denied a historic victory as VAR spies an offside in the build up to the goal. Man Utd have been reprieved.
ET GOAL! Coventry 4-3 Man Utd (Torp, 121’)⚽️
18:10 , Mike Jones
121 mins: Oh may days!
Coventry have won it in the very last moment of the game. Another counter attack sees Haji Wright played into the left side of the pitch.
He brings the ball into the box and squares it to Victor Torp who taps the ball into the far bottom corner. Wow!
ET Coventry 3-3 Man Utd
18:04 , Mike Jones
116 mins: Antony has a couple of shots before Amad Diallo turns an effort well wide of the target. This game is so open as both teams want to avoid a penalty shootout.
Crossbar! Ellis Simms gets free in the box and smashes an effort at goal. He hits the woodwork after beating Onana but the ball doesn’t cross the line!
ET Coventry 3-3 Man Utd
18:01 , Mike Jones
114 mins: Chance! Haji Wright should sink Manchester United. Bruno Fernandes loses the ball on the edge of Coventry’s penalty area and the Sky Blues fly up the pitch.
A couple of quick passes sends Wright into the box on the left side and he just has Andre Onana to beat. He shoots but fizzes his effort wide of goal!
ET Coventry 3-3 Man Utd
17:59 , Mike Jones
111 mins: There’s a quick VAR check for handball against Bobby Thomas as the second corner comes into the middle. Nothing more comes from it and play goes on.
Rasmus Hojlund brings the ball forward and shoots from the edge of the box but his effort is blocked and Coventry break. Matt Godden carries the ball into the box and has a go but Casemiro gets back to turn the ball out for a corner kick.
Coventry’s set piece doesn’t trouble Man Utd who look to play out from the back.
ET Coventry 3-3 Man Utd
17:55 , Mike Jones
108 mins: Close! Harry Maguire drives Man Utd up the field and takes the ball to the byline before shooting and forcing Bradley Collins to flick the ball behind for a corner.
The initial ball is cleared but United maintain the attack and earn themselves a second corner. Can they score here?
ET second half! Coventry 3-3 Man Utd
17:53 , Mike Jones
Mark Robins is so animated to his players at the break. He believes that they can snatch this match out of Man Utd’s hands. Matt Godden has replaced Fabio Tavares who wasn’t able to continue for Coventry.
15 minutes to play before penalties.
ET half-time! Coventry 3-3 Man Utd
17:50 , Mike Jones
105+1 mins: That’ll be half-time in extra-time. Nothing to separate the two teams yet and now they’re only 15 minutes away from a penalty shootout.
Manchester United fans will be wondering how things came to this.
ET Coventry 3-3 Man Utd
17:48 , Mike Jones
103 mins: Ben Sheaf looks to curl a shot past Andre Onana but turns his effort wide of the far post. Omari Forson comes on to the pitch for Manchester United with Scott McTominay taken off.
ET Coventry 3-3 Man Utd
17:43 , Mike Jones
100 mins: So far Man Utd have controlled extra time, creating the better chances but Coventry look fresher and dangerous on the counter attack.
It’s a coin toss for which way this game will go now.
ET Coventry 3-3 Man Utd
17:40 , Mike Jones
97 mins: Fabio Tavares takes a knock and needs a bit of treatment before the game continues. He’s been one of Coventry’s main men since coming on and would be a huge loss for them as they chase a winning goal.
ET Coventry 3-3 Man Utd
17:39 , Mike Jones
94 mins: Crossbar! Bruno Fernandes smokes an incredible hit from the edge of the box and rattles the woodwork for Manchester United.
Coventry then break up the pitch but Haji Wright overruns the ball and it goes out for a goalkick.
ET Coventry 3-3 Man Utd
17:36 , Mike Jones
93 mins: Coventry have the confidence and the belief. It’s a bad situation for Manchester United to be in as everything seems to be going against them.
The experienced players need to turnaround their fortunes and wrestle control of the match back from the Sky Blues. Mark Robins will be telling his team to continues as they area.
Another goal could send them into the final.
ET Coventry 3-3 Man Utd
17:34 , Mike Jones
90 mins: Roy Keane is fuming on ITV punditry over Manchester United’s performance. The Red Devils get extra-time started and they’ll need to get the momentum on their side again.
Amad Diallo has replaced Marcus Rashford and has been electric since coming on.
Who is Haji Wright? The USA international lighting up the FA Cup at Coventry
17:32 , Mike Jones
Haji Wright wheeled away and charged towards the corner flag, arms spreading in delight as he found the away supporters at Molineux. Down to his knees the American sank in a slide of celebration, his curling effort having secured Coventry City an FA Cup semi-final for only the second time in history.
It had been a day of remarkable drama. For much of the second half, Ellis Simms’ goal looked to have given the Championship club victory over Wolves, only for Rayan Ait-Nouri and substitute Hugo Bueno to strike twice in five minutes to seemingly dash their dreams.
Who is Haji Wright? The USA international lighting up the FA Cup at Coventry
Full-time! Coventry 3-3 Man Utd
17:28 , Mike Jones
90+9 mins: There goes the final whistle. We’re in for another 30 minutes at Wembley as Coventry’s remarkable comeback forces extra-time in this semi-final.
Manchester United have throw away a three goal lead, though the penalty decision was a harsh one. Which way will this match turn now?
GOAL! Coventry 3-3 Man Utd (Wright, 90+5)
17:22 , Mike Jones
90+5 mins: Haji Wright scores from the spot! Coventry have their comeback!
Penalty to Coventry!
17:21 , Mike Jones
Coventry 2-3 Man Utd
The ball is flicked into the box from the left and gets booted across the six-yard box. It strikes Aaron Wan-Bissaka on the arm and the referee points to the spot!
VAR doesn’t overturn the decision. Drama.
Coventry 2-3 Man Utd
17:20 , Mike Jones
90+2 mins: Marcus Rashford has gone down after a swiping tackle but the referee lets play go on. Coventry win a throw in deep in United’s half.
The Coventry fans are in full voice, urging their team on. As the cross comes into the box, Christian Eriksen is there to nod away.
Coventry 2-3 Man Utd
17:19 , Mike Jones
90 mins: There’s going to be six minutes of added time to play. Man Utd are under serious pressure from Coventry and are defending for their lives.
This is still open.
Coventry 2-3 Man Utd
17:16 , Mike Jones
88 mins: Onana is shown a yellow card for delaying the restart and taking time out of the game. There’s only a few minutes left in this match but it’s very, very tense.
There won’t be many people out there who are confident that Man Utd can get over the line. They’re having that king of topsy-turvy season.
Coventry 2-3 Man Utd
17:13 , Mike Jones
85 mins: Coventry’s set piece is whipped into the Man Utd penalty area. It’s floated over to the far post but Diogo Dalot is on hand to turn the ball out for a throw in.
Save! The throw in comes into the box and bobbles around before bouncing out ot Victor Torp. He nails his shot onto the dropping ball and forces Andre Onana into a leaping save to his left!
Huge moment from the United goalkeeper.
Coventry 2-3 Man Utd
17:11 , Mike Jones
82 mins: Those two goals have set this semi-final up for a thrilling finale. There’s less than 10 minutes of the 90 to play and Man Utd will need another goal to feel comfortable again.
A corner kick is swung into the area but Coventry defend it well and look to sweep forward themselves.
GOAL! Coventry 2-3 Man Utd (O’Hare, 79’)⚽️
17:08 , Mike Jones
79 mins: There it is!
Simms brings the ball down the left but he passes it across to Callum O’Hare. The midfielder has a go from range and drills his shot into the head of Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
The ball loops into the air then drops over the head of Andre Onana to breathe new lift into this match!
Coventry 1-3 Man Utd
17:06 , Mike Jones
77 mins: Almost! Some incredibly slick passing through the middle of the pitch sends Marcus Rashford in behind the lines but he’s flagged offside before the move can develop any further.
Time is ticking by, Coventry need to score again quickly if they hope to mount a comeback.
Coventry 1-3 Man Utd
17:03 , Mike Jones
74 mins: Now this will be an interesting finish. Especially if Coventry score again. Surely Man Utd can’t let a three goal lead slip?
They’ll want to regain some control on this match. Christian Eriksen has replaced Kobbie Mainoo in the middle of the pitch. Time on the ball and game management will be the key now for the Red Devils.
GOAL! Coventry 1-3 Man Utd (Simms, 71’)⚽️
17:00 , Mike Jones
71 mins: Coventry get one back!
Fabio Tavares has been a good addition for the Sky Blues since coming off the bench and he curls a great ball into the box for Ellis Simms.
He shoots on the spin and pings the ball past Andre Onana. This game isn’t done yet.
Coventry 0-3 Man Utd
16:59 , Mike Jones
70 mins: Callum O’Hare is slipped the ball inside the box but gets out muscled by Harry Maguire who marshalls the ball out for a goal kick.
Coventry are still giving it a go. They’ve got 20 minutes to make a comeback.
Coventry 0-3 Man Utd
16:55 , Mike Jones
67 mins: Alejandro Garnacho is taken off the pitch by Erik ten Hag now and gets replaced with Antony. The teenager once again doesn’t look too pleased to getting taken off but he shakes his manager’s hand and takes a seat.
What can Antony muster for the rest of this match?
Coventry 0-3 Man Utd
16:53 , Mike Jones
64 mins: Jake Bidwell whips a corner into the penalty area for Coventry but Harry Maguire gets up high and nods the ball away. He’s already scored today but will want to keep a clean sheet as well.
Coventry 0-3 Man Utd
16:51 , Mike Jones
61 mins: Nearly! A free kick for Man Utd is floated over to Casemiro on the far side of the area. He nods the ball back across and finds Garnacho whose wild effort is deflected to Maguire.
Maguire shoots with the outside of his foot and lifts the ball over the crossbar.
GOAL! Coventry 0-3 Man Utd (Fernandes, 58’)⚽️
16:48 , Mike Jones
58 mins: That should be game over.
A break for Manchester United sees Marcus Rashford bring the ball into the penalty area. He loses it but the loose ball comes to Bruno Fernandes.
Fernandes takes a couple of touches to weave around a defender then slots a deflected effort into the back of the net.
Coventry 0-2 Man Utd
16:46 , Mike Jones
57 mins: There’s a bit of fight in Coventry City which is always welcome in cup games. They come down the right side with Callum O’Hare lifting a cross over to Haji Wright.
He dances into the box and looks to shoot but United’s defender’s crowd him out and he has to retreat.
Coventry 0-2 Man Utd
16:42 , Mike Jones
54 mins: There are a lot of boos from the Coventry fans as Andre Onana takes a little bit of time to restart the match from a goal kick.
United attempt to come down the right wing with Garnacho racing against Bobby Thomas. The defender shoulders the teenager onto the deck and excites the Coventry contingent with his strength.
Coventry 0-2 Man Utd
16:39 , Mike Jones
51 mins: Rashford wins United a free kick over on the left side of the final third. Fernandes rolls the ball to Marcus Rashford who shoots from range and drills his shot into Rasmus Hojlund who desperately tries to get out of the way.
That’s a sign of United’s confidence, they want more goals and will try to score from all over the pitch.
Coventry 0-2 Man Utd
16:37 , Mike Jones
48 mins: Close! Scott McTominay pings a cross field pass out to Marcus Rashford on the left wing. He brings the ball under control and dips into the box before tapping the ball back to Kobbie Mainoo.
He releases the ball to Bruno Fernandes who shoots and looks to curl his effort into the far corner. Bradley Collins is concerned by the effort and leaps across to get to the ball but the shot flies inches wide of the far post.
That would have killed off this game if it had gone in.
Coventry 0-2 Man Utd
16:34 , Mike Jones
46 mins: This is Harry Maguire’s first Wembley goal since scoring for England against Albania in November 2021. He’s never scored here for Manchester United before.
Second half! Coventry 0-2 Man Utd
16:34 , Mike Jones
Coventry get the ball rolling for the second half at Wembley. They need to switch things up but can’t afford to concede again. It’s a difficult position to be in but sometimes clubs just need to roll the dice in knockout matches.
Man Utd could fold under a bit of pressure. The Sky Blues seem to have set up in back four not the back five they started the first half with.
HT Coventry 0-2 Man Utd
16:31 , Mike Jones
Excluding penalties, only Rasmus Højlund (13) has scored more goals for Manchester United this season than Scott McTominay (10).
(Mike Egerton/PA Wire)
HT Coventry 0-2 Man Utd
16:27 , Mike Jones
(Action Images via Reuters)
(REUTERS)
(Action Images via Reuters)
HT Coventry 0-2 Man Utd
16:23 , Mike Jones
Here’s a look at both goals so far. Scott McTominay, recalled to the team today despite not training in the week, provided the opener:
Harry Maguire then nodded home the second to double United’s lead:
Half-time! Coventry 0-2 Man Utd
16:19 , Mike Jones
45+2 mins: That’s a blow for Coventry. On the stroke of half-time Harry Maguire has doubled Man Utd’s lead and now the Red Devils are comfortable in the game.
Mark Robins needs to switch things up to get his team back into the match after the break.
GOAL! Coventry 0-2 Man Utd (Maguire, 45+1)⚽️
16:17 , Mike Jones
45+1 mins: Harry Maguire makes it two!
Fromt he resultant corner the ball is swung onto the head of Maguire who powers his header into the bottom corner. Good goal from the centre-back.
United are comfortable now.
Coventry 0-1 Man Utd
16:16 , Mike Jones
45 mins: Save! Bradley Collins comes to the rescue for Coventry as Marcus Rashford is fed the ball on the right side of the penalty area.
He shoots first time and and hits a curling effort towards the goal. Collins leaps and pushes the ball over the crossbar!
Coventry 0-1 Man Utd
16:14 , Mike Jones
43 mins: Rasmus Hojlund manages to turn away from his marker as Bruno Fernandes passes him the ball. He’s still outside the penalty area but goes for goal only to see his effort blocked.
Coventry 0-1 Man Utd
16:11 , Mike Jones
41 mins: Nearly! Josh Eccles’ footwork takes him past Aaron Wan-Bissaka and into the right side of the box. Eccles slides the ball across the penalty area and almost finds Ellis Simms only for Diogo Dalot to stick out a foot and get to the ball first.
Last ditch defending for United but that will give Coventry some confidence they can go on to score.
Coventry 0-1 Man Utd
16:09 , Mike Jones
38 mins: Liam Kitching bombs forward with the ball but misplaces his pass and gives it to Diogo Dalot. He looks to set up a counter attack as feeds it over to the left where Bruno Fernandes takes over and slows up play.
He decides that United are better served by controlling possession for the time being.
Coventry 0-1 Man Utd
16:08 , Mike Jones
35 mins: The goal has had the effect of cutting down Man Utd’s time in possession. Coventry are starting to pus forward more with Callum O’Hare attempting to slip by Casemiro.
The Sky Blues have managed to force United into defending deep but they need to find a final pass to unlock a chance to take on Andre Onana.
Coventry 0-1 Man Utd
16:04 , Mike Jones
32 mins: Here we go, a chance for Coventry to square things up.
They win a free kick in a dangerous area and Jake Bidwell is tasked with fizzing it into the box. He strikes the ball decently enough but United’s wall leaps high and blocks it.
For all the talk about United’s defence before the match, they’re been fairly alert today.
Coventry 0-1 Man Utd
16:00 , Mike Jones
29 mins: Roy Keane, on pundit duties for ITV today, spoke in the build-up about Man Utd silencing the Coventry supporters. Score a couple of early goals and dominate proceedings.
They’ve almost done that. It’s been a professional performance from the Red Devils so far.
Coventry 0-1 Man Utd
15:58 , Mike Jones
26 mins: That goal will settle Manchester United down and change Coventry’s outlook on the game. They were set up to defend deep and keep a clean sheet but now need to be more forward thinking.
The first aim will be to avoid a second goal. At 1-0 down the Championship side are still in the contest.
GOAL! Coventry 0-1 Man Utd (McTominay, 23’)⚽️
15:55 , Mike Jones
23 mins: There’s the opener!
Scott McTominay creates and finishes off the move to put Manchester United ahead. He receives the ball on the edge of the box and slips it across to Alejandro Garnacho who feeds Diogo Dalot on the overlap.
Dalot curls a pass into the six yard box and picks out McTominay, who had continued his run, for an easy tap in finish.
Coventry 0-0 Man Utd
15:52 , Mike Jones
22 mins: Hojlund wins a corner after his pull back is turned out of play. Bruno Fernandes took a shot which got blocked and then the United captain comes over to take the corner.
A bobbles a low pass over to the edge of the box where Alejandro Garnacho blazes a first time shot over the crossbar!
Coventry 0-0 Man Utd
15:50 , Mike Jones
19 mins: Close! Casemiro floats a perfect pass over the top to feed Marcus Rashford on the left wing. He touches the ball into the box and side foots an effort past Bradley Collins.
The Coventry goalkeeper can’t get there but Rashford’s effort curls wide of the far post.
Coventry 0-0 Man Utd
15:49 , Mike Jones
18 mins: Manchester United haven’t really been in the penalty area since Rashford’s deflected shot about 10 minutes ago. They’ve seen plenty of the ball though and are trying to figure out a way to break Coventry down.
Fernandes slips a pass through the legs of Ben Sheaf but can’t pick out Rasmus Hojlund in the box.
Coventry 0-0 Man Utd
15:46 , Mike Jones
15 mins: Coventry need a touch more quality on the counter attack and they’ll start causing United some real problems.
Milan van Ewijk has had a couple of half chances to break down the right wing but United have been allowed to recover due to some slightly wayward passes.
It’s an interesting contest to watch so far.
Coventry 0-0 Man Utd
15:42 , Mike Jones
12 mins: Man Utd have to contend with a back five when they’re attacking Coventry. The Sky Blues are set up narrowly in order to limit play through the middle and force the Red Devils out wide.
So far it’s working but a goal would change that. The Sky Blues are happy to let United play with the ball but they can’t find a way into the box.
Scott McTominay is dispossessed on the edge of the box by Callum O’Hare.
Coventry 0-0 Man Utd
15:39 , Mike Jones
9 mins: Jake Bidwell gets high up the left side for Coventry and curls a pass around Diogo Dalot into the penalty area. Ellis Simms is the target but Andre Onana is quickly off his line to scoop up the ball.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka is caught out of position at the back but manages to recover to turn the ball out for a Coventry corner. The set piece is whipped into the box but Casemiro leaps highest and nods the ball away.
Decent start to the game from both teams.
Coventry 0-0 Man Utd
15:36 , Mike Jones
6 mins: Marcus Rashford now takes a shot that gets blocked with the rebound coming out to Bruno Fernandes. He slips a pass out to Diogo Dalot on the right and the forward thinking defender lays it off to Alejandro Garnacho.
The Argentine weaves to the byline but his pull back is turned behind for a corner.
The set piece is then cleared by the Sky Blues.
Coventry 0-0 Man Utd
15:34 , Mike Jones
3 mins: Alejandro Garnacho takes the first shot of the game after being fed the ball by Bruno Fernandes. He cuts into the box from the right side and lets fly but the nearest defender, Jake Bidwell I think, puts in a solid block to cut out the opportunity to score.
Kick off! Coventry 0-0 Man Utd
15:32 , Mike Jones
Bruno Fernandes gets the ball rolling at Wembley for this semi-final tie. Neither team is in fantastic form but Manchester United should have the advantage.
However, they’re playing with a makeshift defence this afternoon and if Coventry can exploit that they may just manage to get through.
Harry Maguire sends a forward pass over to Marcus Rashford who sprints forward and almost keeps the ball from crossing the byline. His pace may be vital for United today.
Coventry vs Man Utd
15:27 , Mike Jones
Here come the players.
The two teams make their way out onto the pitch at Wembley ahead of kick off for this FA Cup semi-final. Manchester United are the big favourites to go on to win today but can Coventry cause an upset and reach the final?
They certainly have the ability to do so. Kick off is up next…
Erik ten Hag ‘can’t be bothered’ with Manchester United criticism
15:24 , Mike Jones
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.
Erik ten Hag ‘can’t be bothered’ with Manchester United criticism
Coventry vs Manchester United
15:19 , Mike Jones
Manchester United are looking to reach the FA Cup final in consecutive seasons for the first time since the 2003/04 and 2004/05 campaigns.
They are looking to reach back-to-back finals at Wembley for the first time since a run of three between 1994 and 1996.
Coventry vs Manchester United
15:14 , Mike Jones
Manchester United are playing their 32nd FA Cup tie, two more than any other side. Victory would see the reach the final of the competition for a record 22nd time (currently tied with Arsenal on 21).
Coventry vs Manchester United
15:08 , Mike Jones
This is the first FA Cup meeting between Coventry and Manchester United since the fourth round in 1986/87 with the Sky Blues winning 1-0 en route to lifting the trophy.
Before that, they met in the 1984/85 fourth round with the Red Devils winning 2-1 en route to lifting the trophy. These are good omens for whoever proves to be triumphant this afternoon.
Manchester United’s route to the semi-final
15:02 , Mike Jones
Manchester United got their FA Cup campaign off to a winning start against Wigan, before seeing off Newport and Nottingham Forest in the fourth and fifth rounds.
Then an epic against Liverpool at Old Trafford resulted in a 4-3 quarter-final victory. They trailed with three minutes to go, were behind in extra time and needed a 121st-minute goal to win it.
Coventry’s route to the semi-finals
14:58 , Mike Jones
Coventry City beat Oxford 6-2 in the third round, Sheffield Wednesday 4-1 in a fourth round replay, non-league Maidstone 5-0 in round five and Wolves 3-2 in the quarter-final.
They were 2-1 down to Wolves in the seventh minute of injury time before two late goals took them to Wembley and set up a clash against Manchester United.
United want to win every game
14:52 , Mike Jones
Manchester United were beaten finalists in last season’s FA Cup when they lost to Manchester City but are struggling for form going into the game against Coventry today.
Manager Erik ten Hag’s side have three draws and a defeat from their last four games and have dropped to seventh in the Premier League.
“Obviously, we want to win every game,” said Ten Hag. “So when we don’t win we are disappointed, are frustrated, sure, but we know also we can beat the best teams.
“When we play to our levels, we can achieve really high highs.”
How to watch FA Cup semi-final today
14:46 , Mike Jones
Coventry vs Manchester United kicks off at 3.30pm BST at Wembley Stadium, London.
The match will be shown live on ITV1 and can be streamed live via the ITVX app and website, with coverage starting at 2.30pm BST.
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Man Utd have ‘top, top players’
14:41 , Mike Jones
Coventry City boss Mark Robins doesn’t pay much credit to reports that Manchester United are there for the taking this afternoonr and says his team are going up against top players.
“I hear people talking about Manchester United, they are this, they are that – the truth of it is they’ve got top, top players,” Robins told BBC Radio CWR.
“People in football, pundits, talk in a derisory way about Manchester United – realistically, they can hurt anybody on their day. The 2-2 draw against Liverpool the other week, the goals were outstanding, the counter-attack is scintillating at times.
“You’ve got a lot of things to consider, especially as a Championship club, coming up against the biggest club in the world.”
Coventry City vs Manchester United team changes
14:36 , Mike Jones
Mark Robins makes two changes to the Coventry City team that lost to Birmingham last time out. Victor Torp and Kasey Palmer drop out with Josh Eccles and Callum O’Hare coming in.
Manchester United have only one change to the line-up that drew 2-2 with Bournemouth in their last outing. Scott McTominay starts alongside Kobbie Mainoo in midfield with Casemiro dropping back to partner Harry Maguire in central defence. Willy Kambwala is the man who drops out.
Coventry City vs Manchester United line-ups
14:32 , Mike Jones
Coventry XI: Collins, Latibeaudiere, Thomas, Kitching, Bidwell, Eccles, Sheaf, O’Hare, Van Ewijk, Wright, Simms
Man Utd XI: Onana, Wan-Bissaka, Casemiro, Maguire, Dalot, McTominay, Mainoo, Garnacho, Fernandes, Rashford, Hojlund
Ten Hag on Sancho and Garnacho
14:25 , Mike Jones
Erik ten Hag suggested Jadon Sancho’s Champions League success with Borussia Dortmund will not guarantee him a way back into the manager’s plans, saying: “No (nothing has changed about his future), but we know Jadon Sancho is a fantastic football player, so that is not a surprise for us. That is not the issue.
“I follow international football and follow the players on loan at other clubs. It was a fantastic game, Dortmund against Atletico Madrid, a great performance from Dortmund and for Jadon it’s good news, he made his contribution to the result for Dortmund.”
Alejandro Garnacho, meanwhile, remains very much in Ten Hag’s plans for Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Coventry after the United boss forgave him for what he sees as a youthful mistake when the Argentine ‘liked’ social media posts criticising the manager’s decisions to sub him off the pitch.
He added: “Alejandro is a young player, he has to learn a lot. He apologised for it and after that we move on.”
Erik ten Hag says Jadon Sancho ‘issue’ not resolved despite starring Borussia Dortmund role
14:18 , Mike Jones
Erik ten Hag said he was not surprised Jadon Sancho played a starring role in helping Borussia Dortmund reach the Champions League semi-finals but that it has not given him a renewed chance of having a future at Old Trafford.
The Manchester United manager revealed that Alejandro Garnacho had said sorry to him for liking tweets criticising his decision to substitute the Argentinian in last week’s draw at Bournemouth.
Whereas Sancho has not played for the club, and has refused to apologise for a social-media post about Ten Hag, since August.
Erik ten Hag says Jadon Sancho ‘issue’ not resolved despite Borussia Dortmund form
Chelsea waste FA Cup chance as Nicolas Jackson lets Man City off the hook
14:11 , Mike Jones
Death, taxes and Wembley woe for Chelsea. Sorry, Mr Jackson, but you need to apologise a trillion times for this one. This is on you.
A bruised and battered Manchester City were there for the taking, just as Liverpool were on the ropes two months ago. Once again, Chelsea weren’t just creating good chances but gilt-edged, match-deciding ones, with regularity.
Yet somehow, just as Liverpool escaped with a last-gasp winner in February’s Carabao Cup final heartache, against the run of play, Bernardo Silva stole in at the back post six minutes from time to send the FA Cup holders through to next month’s showpiece and keep City’s domestic double hopes alive.
Chelsea waste FA Cup chance as Nicolas Jackson lets Man City off the hook
Coventry vs Manchester United
14:04 , Mike Jones
Manchester United have won 13 of their last 15 meetings with Coventry in al competitions (two defeats). This will be the first game between the sides since September 2007 which the Sky Blues won 2-0 at Old Trafford in the League Cup.
Coventry City vs Manchester United
13:57 , Mike Jones
The Coventry City fans will have a fantastic time at Wembley today regardless of the result and have already started to appear in and around the stadium.
Beating Manchester United though will put the icing on the cake for them if their team can pull off a surprising win this afternoon.
(Nick Potts/PA Wire)
(Nick Potts/PA Wire)
Coventry City vs Manchester United
13:50 , Mike Jones
Coventry City are playing just their second ever FA Cup semi-final having previously beaten Leeds United in the 1986/87 winning cup run.
City have only ever won the FA Cup once but have a 100% win rate at this stage of the competition. Surely a positive sign for the Sky Blues?
Coventry boss Mark Robins: Manchester United are the ‘biggest club in the world’
13:43 , Mike Jones
Coventry boss Mark Robins has scoffed at the “derisory” criticism of Manchester United, insisting his side’s FA Cup semi-final opponents remain the biggest football club on the planet.
Robins began his career at Old Trafford and his history with the club is firmly intertwined with the cup, with his third round winner against Nottingham Forest in 1990 often cited as the goal that saved Sir Alex Ferguson from the sack.
Ferguson’s latest successor in the hot seat, Erik ten Hag, could do with firming up his own position and could find himself on extremely rocky ground if the Red Devils were denied a shot at silverware by Championship opposition.
Coventry boss Mark Robins: Manchester United are the ‘biggest club in the world’
Manchester United are favourites to win
13:36 , Mike Jones
“We have to go into this game understanding what the treats are and there are significant ones because they have top players.” added Mark Robins who went on to explain that Manchester United are big favourites to win today.
“For people who say Manchester United are this and that and concede a lot of shots, you’re talking about a team that are full of talented top international players, that play at that level every week.
“For us, we know they are clearly favourites to win this game, by a million miles and they are expected to win, and we know that and what we are likely to encounter, but we have to play a part in the game.
“We have to understand what the game will be and what the occasion is. There shouldn’t be any fear and it will be one of the biggest games most of our players will have played in.
“It’s only the second time in our history we have reached an FA Cup semi-final, so can we go and take that to another level. It will be an interesting game, but one we have to enjoy and give everything we possibly can.”
More from Robins
13:29 , Mike Jones
“We have to be right. We’ve lost three of our last four and that’s not brilliant form at this stage of the season.
When people speak about us, they say, was there one eye on this game, I doubt it, although you could be forgiven to thinking about the game before it’s been played.
The game will be a really good game and it’s brilliant for us and our supporters and the world will be tuning in and it’s a great occasion for us and all of our players.”
Mark Robins on facing Manchester United
13:22 , Mike Jones
Coventry City boss, Mark Robins, says his team will have to react to Manchester United’s gameplan but also try to impose themselves on the match whenever they can today.
“It’s about them and how they can settle and what we can do,” he said, “We want to take part in the game when we can do.
“It’s a difficult challenge, there’s no doubt about it. I hear people saying Manchester United are this or that, but the truth of it is they have top, top players.
“We have to be able to deal with the situation and deal with Manchester United and the threat they pose and that’s a significant one.”
Casemiro showed Manchester United how to win and then became the face of an alarming decline
13:15 , Mike Jones
In the best part of seven years, Manchester United have won a lone trophy. Casemiro, in contrast, has three Champions Leagues since Jose Mourinho’s United lifted the Europa League in 2017. The Brazilian has a couple of La Liga titles in that time, too, plus the Uefa Super Cup, Club World Cup and Copa America. Perhaps it was no surprise, therefore, that the 2023 Carabao Cup came courtesy of a goal and a man-of-the-match performance from Casemiro in the final.
There is a theory, often promulgated by men such as Mourinho with sizeable medal collections and a sense of their own superiority, that football can be divided into two categories: winners and others. There is no doubt which bracket contains Casemiro and his celebrations at Wembley, his evident delight, was proof he did not just delight in winning the Champions League.
Casemiro showed Man Utd how to win and then became the face of an alarming decline
Ten Hag aware of Mark Robins’ Man Utd history
13:07 , Mike Jones
Coventry City boss Mark Robins is widely acknowledged to be the man who saved Sir Alex Ferguson’s job in 1990 when his third-round goal against Nottingham Forest ended a run of 11 games without a win.
United went on to win the FA Cup that year which eased the pressure on Ferguson and led to the clubs greatest era of success.
“Yes, I know (the story). In football, it’s sometimes like this, that a shot on the post or in the net makes a huge difference,” said current United boss Erik ten Hag who is under a similar amount of pressure as Ferguson was back in the day.
Will Robins, who saved Ferguson’s job back in 1990, be the one to bring the curtain down on Ten Hag’s era in 2024?
Match officials for today’s FA Cup semi-finals
13:00 , Mike Jones
The FA have confirmed that Robert Jones will be the referee this weekend’s FA Cup semi-final. He will be assisted by Ian Hussin and Neil Davies, whilst Thomas Bramall will act as fourth official.
Elsewhere, at Stockley Park, Michael Salisbury will be the Video Assistant Referee, alongside Peter Bankes and Nick Greenhalgh.
Coventry vs Man Utd head-to-head record
12:54 , Mike Jones
It should come as no surprise that Manchester United have dominated this fixture over the years. The teams have face each other 83 times in competitive football with United coming out on top in over half of the meetings.
Here’s the head-to-head breakdown:
Coventry wins: 23Draws: 17Manchester United wins: 43
Manchester United form guide
12:49 , Mike Jones
Last six results for the Red Devils:
Bournemouth 2-2 Manchester United
Manchester United 2-2 Liverpool
Chelsea 4-3 Manchester United
Brentford 1-1 Manchester United
Manchester United 4-3 Liverpool (FA Cup quarter-final)
Manchester United 2-0 Everton
Coventry City form guide
12:43 , Mike Jones
Last six results for the Championship club:
Birmingham City 3-0 Coventry
Southampton 2-1 Coventry
Coventry 2-1 Leeds United
Coventry 1-2 Cardiff City
Huddersfield Town 1-3 Coventry
Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-3 Coventry (FA Cup quarter-final)
Ten Hag on facing Coventry
12:37 , Mike Jones
Back to today’s fixture and Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag spoke about what he is expecting from the game at Wembley.
“Of course, also we know the manager, a former United player, striker, his long period there, he’s doing a fantastic job there,” said Ten Hag referencing Mark Robins’ time as a player with the Red Devils.
“So, we know a lot about them. Of course they are dangerous, they are in the semi-final. It’s logical.
“Last season, they were that far away [gestures to a small gap] from being promoted to the Premier League. So they do a fantastic job over there.
“We have seen the game against Wolves, in the quarter-final, the mentality in the team is fabulous, so we have to play to our best levels.”
Why have FA Cup replays been scrapped?
12:30 , Jamie Braidwood
FA Cup replays have been scrapped as part of a new agreement between the Football Association and Premier League that comes amid the introduction of the new-look Champions League from next season.
Replays had already been scrapped from the fifth round onwards but have now been ditched altogether from the first round proper, a joint statement from the FA and Premier League said.
The FA said the move had been made in agreement with the Premier League and “in light of changes to the calendar driven by the expanded Uefa competitions”.
The Champions League will become a 36-team competition next season with a new-look league format replacing the previous group stages. Premier League teams who are involved will now play eight rounds of games, running into January, to qualify for the knockout stages, an increase on the previous six.
Additionally, the FA Cup final will now be staged on the penultimate weekend of the Premier League season, rather than after, while all rounds will be played at the weekend. The fifth round of the FA Cup has been placed in midweek in the last five seasons.
The changes come as part of a new agreement between the FA and Premier League that will see the top flight put forward an extra £33m to grassroots football, on top of the £100m it says it already provides.
Scrapping FA Cup replays shows the FA’s weakness – the only winners are the whining billionaire owners
12:23 , Mike Jones
The scrapping of all FA Cup replays, as announced by the FA, may have been an inevitability but it doesn’t make their demise any less sad. There is no longer any surprise at the biggest entities within football getting their own way, with the ill effects on smaller clubs and communities simply seen as unimportant collateral damage, yet every greed-driven change still comes as a gut punch.
Replays had already been removed from the fifth round onwards and the announcement that the first four rounds of the ‘competition proper’ will follow suit from next season was lumped in with other format changes, including all rounds to be played on weekends, the fourth-round, fifth-round and quarter-final weekends to be exclusive of Premier League games and the FA Cup final itself to be moved before the end of the Premier League season.
The biggest clubs, despite having the biggest squads, detested FA Cup replays amid a hectic calendar. They whined loudly enough and for long enough that the authorities eventually buckled to their demands. The trade-off is the Premier League increasing funding to the football pyramid, with up to an additional £33m being earmarked for grassroots football. Yet the damage this move will do is far greater than the effect of any token payment.
Scrapping FA Cup replays shows the FA’s weakness as whining billionaires win again
FA responds to criticims around FA Cup replays being scrapped
12:15 , Mike Jones
The FA issued a statement on FA Cup replays on Friday, saying: “We understand the concerns expressed over the last 24 hours, and we will be sharing more details with clubs very shortly to explain the additional revenue opportunities in the early rounds.”
Coventry boss Mark Robins, whose side face Manchester United in an FA Cup semi-final today, said the decision to scrap all replays did “kick everybody in the teeth” below the top level while United boss Erik ten Hag said the scrapping of replays was “sad” but “inevitable” given the overload of the schedule on top players.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, whose team reached the FA Cup final on Saturday, empathises with lower-league clubs but said losing replays was “better” from a welfare perspective for players at top-flight clubs.
“I think you know better than me the reason why replays were created – it’s for the lower divisions, I guess. To have the chance, to give an opportunity for these clubs in lower divisions, to have an opportunity to play a big club, good money,” said Guardiola,
“For them (scrapping replays) is bad. In that sense, it is a problem. It’s a big blow, absolutely. For the big clubs playing the European competitions, it’s much better.
“We have less games in our tight schedule of a lot of games. To find the balance today in the world football is the most difficult thing. I understand that the clubs and the lower divisions can complain about that, because if we have a game here in the Etihad Stadium and we cannot win, we have to go to the team in the Conference or League One. That game is so important for them. This is replacing an FA Cup tradition of many, many years.
“But with the schedule that we have, especially teams that play European competitions and national teams – many players go to the national teams – it’s much better.”
EFL claims FA Cup replays decision marginalises lower league clubs
12:07 , Mike Jones
The EFL said the decision to scrap FA Cup replays next season was just the most recent example of how the league and its clubs were being sidelined by the FA, with Premier League clubs having also decided to halt discussions over a new financial settlement with the EFL.
They releases a statement which reads:
“This latest agreement between the Premier League and the FA, in the absence of financial reform, is just a further example of how the EFL and its clubs are being marginalised in favour of others further up the pyramid and that only serves to threaten the future of the English game,” the EFL’s statement on Friday afternoon said.
“The EFL today calls on both the Premier League and the FA, as the governing body, to re-evaluate their approach to their footballing partnership with the EFL and engage more collaboratively on issues directly affecting our clubs.”
The EFL insisted in its statement that the decision to abolish replays was “agreed solely between the Premier League and the FA”.
Ending FA Cup replays another example of EFL being ‘marginalised’, says league
12:00 , Mike Jones
The decision to scrap FA Cup replays is further evidence of the EFL and its clubs being “marginalised”, the league has said.
The Football Association announced on Thursday it had reached an agreement with the Premier League on the future format and funding of the competition, which would include all replays from the first round being abolished.
A number of EFL clubs have criticised the changes and insisted they were not consulted, with the FA releasing a statement on Friday saying it understood those concerns and would share details with them about how any shortfall in lost replay revenue may be made up.
Ending FA Cup replays another example of EFL being ‘marginalised’, says league
Pre-match thoughts from Coventry City boss
11:51 , Mike Jones
Coventry City manager Mark Robins says he is excited about the prospect of his team playing their first FA Cup semi-final since 1987 and claims the whole city is ready for it.
“I’m excited. It’s a brilliant opportunity for everyone and there’s a lot of excitement around the city and it’s the first time we’ve been in the semi-final since 1987.” said Robins, “It’s not a normal occasion for us, for Manchester United its normal for them.
“They have some England internationals and other internationals who have played at Wembley and for them it’s an expectation and for their supporters, so for us its slightly different, although we’ve been four times in the last seven years.
“We’ve had an experience of Wembley, varying levels of success, other than last year it’s been very positive, and we look forward to this weekend.
“We know the challenge and there’s no doubt that’s huge, majorly significant, but we’re looking forward to it.”
Ten Hag laments United’s injury-hit season
11:44 , Mike Jones
Manchester United have had plenty of injury problems to deal with since Erik ten Hag came in as manager with the boss saying that their home win over Manchester City last year was the only time he had a full squad to choose from.
“I don’t have any concern about what is said on the outside,” Ten Hag claimed, “What concerns me is that in 18 months I have never had my favourite team on the pitch in 18 months.
“That concerns me. Because the players are injured. One time (I could pick my strongest XI) was against (Man) City last season in the home game.
“That was the only time where we had a full squad, where I can pick my team and in all the other games there was always an injury aspect where we have to deal with.
“That is normal in football but not so many as we have had. And I know when we have so many injuries as we have had and on crucial key positions, you can’t deliver the results you want to bring and that is okay.
“But that is my truth. And others can have a different truth. But I can’t put energy in that.”
Man Utd boss on shutting out the noise
11:37 , Mike Jones
There is a lot of pressure on Manchester United to win today and reach the FA Cup final but manager Erik 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 focusing on my team, to improve the team and individuals. That’s what I’m here for.”
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