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How Man Utd lined up last time they played Coventry with Barcelona legend unable to prevent humiliating defeat


A BARCELONA legend was left red-faced the last time Manchester United faced Coventry City.

The Red Devils will meet the Sky Blues in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley on Sunday.

Coventry City’s Michael Mifsud celebrates after his second goal against United in 2007Credit: PA:Press Association
Gerard Pique was in defence for United on that night against the Sky BluesCredit: Getty
Jonny Evans (pictured in 2007) is back at Old Trafford playing under current boss Erik ten HagCredit: Getty
John O’Shea has just taken his first job in managementCredit: Getty

Erik ten Hag’s side will go into the clash as heavy favourites against the Championship team managed by their former striker Mark Robins.

The two clubs were regular opponents in the Premier League throughout the 1990s but have barely met since Coventry were relegated from the top-flight in 2001.

However, there was a shock the last time they went head-to-head back in September 2007.

Old Trafford hosted the League Cup third round tie with over 74,000 fans packed in to watch the action.

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But it was Coventry who were left celebrating as they ran out 2-0 victors thanks to a brace from Michael Mifsud.

It was far from a star-studded line-up named by Sir Alex Ferguson that night.

And the result seemed to have little impact on their season as they lifted both the Premier League and Champions League.

Here’s who was in the United starting XI that night:

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TOMASZ KUSZCZAK

The Polish goalie spent six years at United having caught the eye previously at West Brom.

He later played for Watford, Brighton and Wolves before finishing his career at Birmingham City in 2009.

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DANNY SIMPSON

Came through the academy at Man Utd but it would be at Leicester City where he enjoyed his greatest success as he helped them to Premier League glory in 2016.

PHIL BARDSLEY

The ex-Scotland defender left United for Sunderland at the end of this season and later played for Stoke, Burnley and Stockport.

JONNY EVANS

The veteran defender is now back at United after rejoining on a free transfer following an eight-year absence that included spells at West Brom and Leicester.

GERARD PIQUE

The Spanish icon won the Euros and World Cup with Spain and everything possible at Barcelona after his move to the Nou Camp in 2008 but he was given a torrid time by Mifsud on this night. 

JOHN O’SHEA

The versatile Irishman was a huge favourite with Fergie and fans but left in 2011 to join Sunderland and then ended his career at Reading.

ANDERSON

The Brazilian spent eight years at United before returning to his homeland, and then he headed to Turkey to finish his career.

LEE MARTIN

Also played for Rangers and Nottingham Forest on loan before he dropped down the pyramid and ended up in non-league.

CHRIS EAGLES

Left for Burnley in 2011 and became a big fave and was equally loved at Bolton before spending the latter years of his career with several clubs in the lower leagues and Scotland.

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NANI

The Portuguese winger was a first-team regular for years at United after this and still plays as a winger for Super Lig club Adana Demirspor.

DONG FANG ZHOU

The Chinese forward was simply not good enough to cut it at United and after just a handful of appearances he was shipped out, and following some stints elsewhere in Europe, he finished his career back in his homeland.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

Here’s what the United players from that night are doing now:

KUSZCZAK

He was most recently the goalkeeping coach of the Poland national team.

SIMPSON

Still plays for Northern Premier League Premier Division club Macclesfield.

BARDSLEY

Assistant manager of Macclesfield.

EVANS

Back playing for Man Utd under Ten Hag.

PIQUE

Retired from football in 2022 and then hit the headlines after splitting with his pop star wife Shakira.

O’SHEA

Recently appointed interim manager of the Republic of Ireland.

ANDERSON 

Assistant manager of Adana Demirspor in Turkey.

MARTIN

Signed for Isthmian League South East Division club Ramsgate at the start of the season.

EAGLES

He joined Alcoholics Anonymous in September 2021.

NANI

Still playing for Super Lig club Adana Demirspor.

DONG
Coaches youngsters back in China after retiring from playing


Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk


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