CUP CLASSIC
Coventry vs Man Utd – FA Cup semi-final: United hope to avoid Wembley upset in huge last-4 tie – FREE stream, team news
The winner of this match will take on a Premier League giant
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MANCHESTER UNITED will look to avoid a major Wembley upset when they take on Coventry City under the arch on Sunday.
With hopes of Champions League qualification looking all but squashed, Erik ten Hag's side will be desperate to end the season on a high note in the FA Cup.
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Standing in their way are Championship Coventry City, who are looking to become the first second tier side to reach the FA Cup final since Cardiff in 2008.
Ten Hag's Man Utd future could be in the balance in the coming weeks, as his new Ineos paymasters decide whether or not to bring in their own man.
Winning the FA Cup may see the Dutchman squeeze through into next season in the Old Trafford dugout.
In his opposite technical area at Wembley on Sunday will be a man that is no stranger to Man Utd FA Cup heroics; Mark Robins.
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In 1990, it was famously Robins who scored United's winning goal in a third round clash against Nottingham Forest - amid a backdrop of widespread reports that Sir Alex Ferguson would be sacked if his side lost.
The Red Devils went on to win the FA Cup that year and the rest, as they say, is history.
While the prospect of Ten Hag staying on for another 23 years seems implausible, the 54-year-old will be hoping that a hero will emerge from his side to help him stay in the job, as Robins did for Fergie all those years ago.
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When this tie was drawn, Coventry still found themselves very much in the Championship play-off mix - but back-to-back defeats have seen them fall eight points off the pace, albeit with a game in hand.
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What is their form like?
Man Utd go into Sunday's clash without a win in their last four games.
The Red Devils' last triumph came in the previous round of the FA Cup, when they secured a last-gasp 4-3 win over Liverpool at Old Trafford.
Robbo talks about Man Utd's current woes and situation
They have since squandered late leads to draw at Brentford and lose at Chelsea, before drawing 2-2 with both Liverpool and Bournemouth.
Coventry, meanwhile, have endured frustrations of their own.
Last season's play-off finalists look unlikely to return to that stage this year, having lost their last two to Southampton (2-1) and Birmingham (3-0).
Prior to that, however, they produced an impressive performance to beat promotion hopefuls Leeds 2-1.
What is the team news?
Erik ten Hag will have several key players missing for the Wembley day out against Coventry.
Raphael Varane (muscular), Victor Lindelof (hamstring), Jonny Evans (muscular), Lisandro Martinez (calf), Luke Shaw (thigh), Anthony Martial (groin) and Tyrell Malacia (knee).
However, Scott McTominay could return after suffering a knee injury which ruled him out of the Bournemouth draw.
Coventry, meanwhile, could be boosted by the return of Jamie Allen, with the midfielder back in training having been missing since February.
Matty Godden could also feature after returning to the bench against Birmingham last week, but Tatsuhiro Sakamoto remains a long-term absentee.
Kasey Palmer will miss the game through suspension.
Who will be the star men?
Bruno Fernandes is often the man that Man Utd look to when they are in desperate need of a goal.
The Portuguese, 29, can frustrate - but is the sort of player that can light up a big occasion such as this.
Fernandes has eight goals and six assists in 31 Premier League appearances this term - with a further two and one in the FA Cup.
For Coventry, meanwhile, Haji Wright could be the man to cause a nuisance in Man Utd's back line.
The USA international didn't have a great start to life at Coventry following his £7.7million move to replace Viktor Gyokeres, but he has made big strides in the second half of the season.
With 15 Championship goals and a further two in the FA Cup this season, Wright may cause the Red Devils defence a scare or two.
What have the managers said?
Erik ten Hag has been full of respect for Coventry ahead of their meeting.
The Dutchman said of the Sky Blues: "They are dangerous, that is logical, they are in the semi-final.
"Last season they were not far away from promotion to the Premier League and we have seen the game against Wolves in the quarter-final.
"The mentality is fabulous. We have to play to our best levels."
Mark Robins, meanwhile, hit out at Man Utd's detractors, saying: "People, pundits, are talking in a derisory way about Manchester United and what they’re doing, how they’re 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.
"They can hurt anybody on their day. The game against Liverpool their goals were outstanding. So you’ve got a lot of things to consider, especially as a Championship club going up against the biggest club in the world.
"For Manchester United, this is a normal occasion. They play at Wembley a lot of times, there’s some England internationals there and other internationals who’ve played at Wembley on numerous occasions.
"It’s an expectation for them and their supporters; for us it’s slightly different."
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SunSport prediction
Coventry will not roll over for the Red Devils, but Erik ten Hag's side should have enough in this one.
SunSport predicts: Man Utd 2 Coventry 1
When is Coventry vs Man Utd?
- Coventry and Manchester United's huge FA Cup semi-final will take place on Sunday, April 21.
- It is scheduled to kick off at 3:30pm BST
- Wembley Stadium is the allocated arena for this encounter and it can host approximately 90,000 passionate fans.
- The Sky Blues pulled off a sensational 2-0 win against United when the sides last met in a 2007 League Cup clash.
What TV channel is it on and can it be live streamed?
- Coventry vs Manchester United will be broadcast LIVE on ITV1 in the UK.
- Coverage is expected to commence from 2:30pm BST - a whole hour before kick-off.
- Fans can stream the action on the ITV X app or ITV Sport website.
- Alternatively, SunSport will have minute-by-minute coverage of the whole match.
Can I watch it for FREE?
YES!
Coventry vs Manchester United will be available to watch for FREE in the UK as long as you have a valid TV license.
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Elsewhere, Coventry manager Mark Robbins will have to continue without Tatsuhiro Sakamoto who sustained a back issue in February.
What are the odds?
- Coventry to win 11/2
- Draw 4/1
- Man Utd to win 2/5
To progress to the final
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- Coventry 7/2
- Man Utd 1/5
*Odds courtesy of Paddy Power are correct at time of publication