Man Utd’s upcoming FA Cup semi-final against Coventry City brings back memories of their last encounter in September 2007, when the Sky Blues shocked the Red Devils with a 2-0 victory at Old Trafford. The match, which took place in front of over 74,000 fans, saw Coventry striker Michael Mifsud score both goals to secure the upset win.
Although 17 years have passed since that game, two players from the United squad that night are still with the club today. Veteran defender Jonny Evans, who rejoined United last summer after spells at West Brom and Leicester, will be hoping for a better outcome this time around. Evans, now 36 years old, was part of the backline that struggled to contain Mifsud in the previous meeting.
Another player who was on the bench that night and is still at United is goalkeeper Tom Heaton. Heaton, who came through the ranks at United but failed to make a first-team appearance during his initial spell at the club, spent six years at Burnley and won three caps for England before returning to United in his latter years.
Coventry’s victory over United in 2007 was a significant upset, considering that the two teams were regular opponents in the Premier League throughout the 1990s. However, their paths diverged when Coventry was relegated from the top-flight in 2001, leading to fewer meetings between the two sides.
United’s current season has been a mixed bag, with their league position not accurately reflecting their performances. Despite their recent run of one win in seven league matches, their results have been better than expected. In fact, if we consider “expected points,” a statistical measure based on performance, United would actually be lower in the table, around 15th place.
The upcoming FA Cup semi-final against Coventry is a crucial match for United. If they were to lose to the Championship side, it would not be a major surprise given their recent form. However, it’s important for United to show their quality and avoid underestimating their opponents.
Overall, the match holds significance for both United and Coventry. United will be looking to redeem themselves after their previous defeat to Coventry in 2007, while Coventry will be aiming to cause another upset and secure a place in the FA Cup final.