Coventry City manager Mark Robins insists FA Cup semi-final is not about him despite Man United history | OneFootball

Coventry City manager and former Manchester United player, Mark Robins, has insisted that today’s FA Cup semi-final is not about him.

When the draw was made, many supporters were interested to learn, if they didn’t already know, that Robins was the manager they would be facing in the FA Cup semi-final.

The 54 year old former striker came through the youth team at United and scored possibly one of the most important goals in the club’s history.

In a third round tie against Nottingham Forest in January 1990, Robins came off the bench to score a late winner that fired Sir Alex Ferguson’s side into the fourth round.

United would go on to win the FA Cup that season, Ferguson’s first trophy as Manchester United manager. The goal has also been credited with saving the Scot’s job as United finished that season in 13th place and a hypothetical fourth season without a trophy would probably have seen Sir Alex sacked.

It is safe to assume that United’s long period of success thereafter may never have happened had the club taken such a decision.

Robins has made a name for himself in the management world, away from his Old Trafford past, taking Coventry from the depths of League Two to the Championship and winning the EFL Trophy along the way.

Naturally, the irony of Robins being the man who could seal Erik ten Hag’s fate at Manchester United has not been lost on the media or fans in the run-up to the game. The Dutchman has overseen a chaotic season which sees the Red Devils sit in seventh place in the league and in serious danger of not even qualifying for the Conference League.

Many, including pundit Gary Neville, have claimed that the FA Cup is the only way Ten Hag can save his job, and even then, it might not be enough.

However, The Irish News reports that Robins does not want to make the semi-final about himself.

When asked whether or not he had told his squad about his heroics he retorted, “absolutely not. They were all born after 1990, so none of them (know about it)”.

“I don’t speak about things like that. It doesn’t matter what I did, I just talk about them. This is totally different and management is totally different to playing”.

“It’s not about me, it’s all about the players and the preparation and how they can execute against a top, top team”.

“These players have got an aspiration to play in the Premier League so for me, for them, it’s a chance to see how they perform, regardless of anything else around the game”.

The former United man was happy to recall his memories of appearing in the FA Cup final in 1990 against Crystal Palace, however.

“In fairness I was substitute in a cup final 34 years ago, a brilliant occasion for us as Manchester United. It was fantastic”.

“There were only two substitutes in those days so to get on the bench in the first place, when there was a lot of talented individuals who didn’t make it, puts it into perspective. I’d just broken into the squad and played a part in the run up to the final”.

“It’s part of my experience, it’s part of my footballing background, but it was a long, long time ago”.

Whilst any United fan who appreciates their history will be eternally grateful to Robins for that crucial, fate-changing, late goal all those years ago, that is where the goodwill ends.

The Red Devils are desperate to reach a cup final and have the chance to avenge last year’s defeat to cross-city rivals at Wembley next month.

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