Manchester United staged an incredible comeback against Coventry City to advance in the FA Cup semi-final. They looked on course for their 22nd final until Ellis Simms, Callum O’Hare and Haji Wright staged a comeback and upset Manchester United by scoring twice during extra time to force extra time and win on penalties.
Rasmus Hojlund’s spot kick was enough to secure victory for United after an exhilarating shootout, leaving manager Erik ten Hag with an injury crisis at the back due to Willy Kambwala, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans being sidelined. Read more coventry city f.c. vs man united lineups.
Coventry City XI
Coventry City Football Club is an English association football club based in Coventry and competing in League One – England’s third-highest tier – since 1883 as Singers FC before changing to its current name in 1898 – known as Sky Blues due to their traditional home kit of blue and white stripes. Relegated from Premier League in 2001.
Coventry City currently play at Ricoh Arena, built on land that was once home to Coventry’s old Highfield Road stadium. Unfortunately, however, recent years have brought financial difficulties for this club, leading to its takeover by Wasps Rugby Club and speculation over if their lease ends by 2023 or not. A series of high-profile players such as Stern John, Dele Adebola, and Gary McSheffrey have left over this period.
Even with financial concerns, the club remains in strong standing in League One and has enjoyed a strong start to this season, scoring 33 goals in 12 matches to become top scoring team of the division. Furthermore, seven victories and six draws so far mark out a great start.
Coventry City are likely to field an unchanged XI from that which began against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup, meaning Destiny Udogie, Rodrigo Bentancur and Dominic Solanke are expected to retain their places in starting lineup. Ange Postecoglou could give full competitive debuts to Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall in this match.
Manchester United XI
Manchester United managed one of the greatest FA Cup semi-final comebacks ever to beat Coventry City 4-3 on penalties following an intense encounter at Wembley Stadium. Erik ten Hag’s side looked set for an unprecedented 22nd final with goals from Scott McTominay, Harry Maguire and Bruno Fernandes but Ellis Simms and Callum O’Hare from Championship side Coventry City equalised. Victor Torp thought his stoppage-time penalty had won it but his attempt was disallowed but eventually Rasmus Hojlund’s spot kick proved decisive as Rasmus Hojlund secured victory for Erik ten Hag’s side.
But Ten Hag is facing an ever-worsening defensive injury crisis ahead of Sunday’s showpiece as Raphael Varane, Jonny Evans and Lisandro Martinez look likely to miss out. Louis Jackson could provide relief and Casemiro has also been tested alongside Maguire during training sessions.
Coventry are faring well on the injury front with Jamie Allen (cheekbone) and Tatsuhiro Sakamoto (back) being their main concerns. But prolific playmaker Kasey Palmer will miss out as he serves out his three match ban for tackle on Darren Fletcher during their quarter-final win at Birmingham.
Robins fans should note one other change from that 5-2 victory will be Antony, who scored three goals against Birmingham. Antony will likely replace Bobby Thomas who has been sidelined due to injury; Victor Torp and Jake Bidwell should play either side of him to form a 3-5-2 formation.
Marcus Rashford will lead United’s attack once again following his two goals in their 3-2 quarter-final win over Bournemouth. Rashford has been linked with a move to Barcelona and shown versatility this season by being used across different positions. Anthony Martial and Alejandro Garnacho may offer additional support while Garnacho could even get his reward of another start at Wembley after scoring such an important goal against Leicester in last round.
Coventry City vs Manchester United Head-to-Head Record
Manchester United will look to avoid an upset in their FA Cup semi-final matchup against Coventry City at Wembley. Though Coventry do not boast United’s pedigree, they remain dangerous domestic cup competitors who can be threated by big teams; especially given recent performances that have elevated them into being capable of upsetting United. They may devise plans designed to take advantage of any weak points they find in United’s defense.
Erik ten Hag has struggled in the Premier League and hopes the FA Cup can provide his struggling Red Devils with an unexpected boost. They hope to reach another final and secure their place in 2024 Champions League group stage qualification. These Red Devils differ significantly from the one which were so comprehensively defeated against Coventry last time; hopefully their firepower should help them progress past them and progress onward.
Coventry City have suffered an injury crisis and now face the formidable task of stopping Manchester United. Mason Mount, Sofyan Amrabat, Willy Kambwala and Lisandro Martinez have all gone down due to injury issues at Coventry – making defense an enormous task ahead.
Coventry are expected to field an effective squad despite injury issues, which should prove a formidable opponent for Manchester United in this game. They possess many talented players capable of creating havoc for Manchester United’s defence.
As for their opponents, Manchester United will be without midfielder Paul Pogba due to a calf injury, as he has scored just five times so far this season in the league – he will hope that playing against them helps return him to full fitness ahead of potentially making the quarter-finals in Champions League competition.
Pogba could be replaced by Marouane Fellaini or Andre Onana – two players who have both performed admirably in previous campaigns – with both players having proven their ability. It remains to be seen who will get selected by Red Devils manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer but there should be plenty of solutions for their current predicament.
Coventry City vs Manchester United Predictions
At Wembley Stadium, this FA Cup semi-final begins with Manchester United looking to reach their 22nd final of all time and claim back-to-back FA Cup final appearances since a three-match sequence from 2004 to 1996. A win by either side would send us to Wembley with plenty of drama ahead.
Manchester United may have had their defensive frailties exposed recently, yet their superior offensive power should help propel them to victory here. This should especially prove beneficial given Coventry’s inability to score many goals recently; only nine goals were scored over six games last season!
Manchester United are buoyed by the return of midfielder Scott McTominay and strikers Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial – particularly Rashford who scored on each of his last two outings for United and Martial who netted twice against Liverpool in their quarter-final win. Both will likely play key roles in keeping Coventry out through direct play; it could ultimately determine its outcome.
As well as these two players, other individuals also possess the power to have a dramatic effect on a match’s final result. Defenders Dalot and Kambwala have proven to be instrumental in providing their respective sides with solid defensive performance; Casemiro, Mainoo, Garnacho Fernandes Hojlund can all provide quick offensive moves for their sides.
Though Coventry City have struggled in league play this season, they have excelled in the FA Cup this year and been victorious in dramatic victories. While Kasey Palmer may be unavailable due to suspension, players such as Ellis Simms and Callum O’Hare should provide enough spark in attack for Coventry City as they look to upset much larger opponents at Wembley Stadium.
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