Last-gasp FA Cup semi-finalists Coventry City have been handed a major boost to their chances of making the final after Manchester United’s injury woes continued last night in their defeat to Chelsea.
The Sky Blues secured their place in the last four of the cup thanks to Haji Wright’s injury-time winner against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux in March, and will now see these fresh injuries for their Premier League opponents as a chance to make the final.
If they go on to beat Man United, then it would be their first appearance in an FA Cup final since they won the competition back in 1987. Firstly, however, they have first got to negotiate a tough schedule with upcoming league fixtures against promotion-chasing Leeds and Southampton and relegation-battling Birmingham City.
During last night’s last-minute 4-3 away defeat against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, the Red Devils suffered further injury blows as central defenders Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans, as well as experienced midfielder Casemiro, joined Victor Lindelof and Lisandro Martínez on the treatment table.
The news means United are left with only two fit centre-backs for the time being, with Harry Maguire and youngster Willy Kambwala avoiding injury troubles, and with the daunting task of facing a Liverpool team fighting for the title this coming Sunday, it may mean their remaining defenders are pushed to their limits with the semi-final tie just over two weeks away.
Speaking to The Independent in his post-match press conference after last night’s match, Ten Hag spoke about upcoming fixtures and said “It will be difficult, but we will keep fighting, and I’m sure you’ve seen our team has character.”
Earlier this week it was confirmed that Martinez and Lindelof would be out for at least a month, meaning they will miss the fixture with the Sky Blues, and when asked about the likelihood of the freshly injured defensive duo of Evans and Varane being back for the FA Cup semi-final, he said “It is too early to tell”
United’s loss is Coventry’s gain
Coventry will definitely see this news as hugely positive. Similar to last season, they are a free-scoring side that have plenty of firepower up top while the eye-catching style of play implemented by Mark Robins’ is doing them great favours too.
Wright and Simms could easily become a nightmare for any selected centre-half pairing for United, as the two possess not only goal-scoring prowess but also superb pace and towering height on their side, which could help them prey on the inexperienced weakness of young Kambwala.
So, with two players currently nearing 20 goals in all competitions this season for the Midlands side, and a couple nearing 10, playing against a disjointed Red Devil’s defence could benefit them and give them an upper hand in the semi-final.
FA Cup semi-final could be one for the ages
When the two sides come together later on this month, it will be a must-watch game for all that love the FA Cup, as there is a real possibility we could see a Championship side play in the final. This would be the first time since Cardiff City did back in 2008 when they finished runners-up to Portsmouth.
Coventry have already beaten Premier League opposition in the competition and certainly look to have the attacking options to cause issues for a United backline that is depleted by injuries.
It’s certainly not impossible that the Sky Blues could cause an upset.
