COVENTRY CITY sprung a huge shock the last time they faced Manchester United – and two members of the Red Devils squad are still there.
United meet the Sky Blues in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley on Sunday.
Erik ten Hag’s side head into it as huge favourites against the Championship team that are managed by their former striker Mark Robins – who famously saved Sir Alex Ferguson’s job.
United and Coventry were regular opponents in the Premier League throughout the 1990s.
But they have barely met since the Midlands outfit were relegated from the top-flight in 2001.
However, a major upset occurred when they last went head-to-head back in September 2007.
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That was when Old Trafford hosted a League Cup third round tie between them in front of over 74,000 fans.
And it was Coventry that were left celebrating as they ran out 2-0 victors thanks to a brace from Michael Mifsud.
It was a much-changed United line-up that night, which included future World Cup winner and Barcelona legend Gerard Pique.
And, despite 17 years passing since then, two players in the United squad that night are still at the club today.
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Veteran defender Jonny Evans, 36, rejoined on a free transfer following an eight-year absence last summer after spells at West Brom and Leicester.
He will be hoping to do better than he and central defensive partner Pique did against Mifsud if he gets the nod at Wembley.
Danny Simpson and Phil Barsdsley lined up either side of them at full-back, while the midfield four in front of them consisted of Anderson, John O’Shea, Lee Martin and Chris Eagles.
Portuguese star Nani was in attack with infamous Chinese flop Dong Fangzhou and Polish international Tomasz Kuszczak made up the starting XI in goal.
His back-up that night was Tom Heaton on the bench – and he is another who has returned to United in his latter years.
The 38-year-old came through the ranks at United and was part of the squad between 2002 to 2010 but failed to make a first-team appearance.
He spent six years at Burnley and won three caps for England prior to moving to Villa for two years before making his romantic comeback.
Man Utd are LUCKY to be seventh in the table… one particular stat is terrible, say Dave Kidd
By Dave Kidd
THE frightening thing about Manchester United’s season is that they should really be LOWER than seventh in the Premier League.
Even during their current run of one win in seven league matches, United’s results have been better than their performances.
Erik ten Hag’s team deserved to lose each of their last three drawn games against Brentford, Liverpool and Bournemouth.
On goal difference, United are ninth in the league, while only seven teams have scored fewer than their 47 goals.
And if we give any credence to ‘expected points’, then that stat would have them 15th in the table.
If Ten Hag’s men lose Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final to Championship side Coventry, it should not come as a major surprise.
Click here to read Dave Kidd’s column in full.
To read more from Dave Kidd, click here.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
