To draw Man Utd is special – Coventry boss Robins

admin | March 19, 2024 | Other Clubs | No Comments

Coventry City manager Mark Robins says drawing his old club Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-final is “special” – but added that the achievement of getting there is special in itself.

Coventry have not made the last four since lifting the FA Cup in 1987, three years before Robins’ late replay winner took Alex Ferguson’s United to Wembley.

“But to draw any one of those teams would have been special.”

While United will play the Sky Blues of the Championship, two other former Champions League winners – Chelsea and holders Manchester City – will also meet at Wembley.

“If you look at the teams left, to be in the cup at this stage with the top clubs is an achievement in itself,” added Robins.

The boyhood United fan and product of their youth system played a famous walk-on role in the club’s glorious history.

Before his extra-time winner to beat Oldham Athletic 2-1 in the semi-final replay at Maine Road in April 1990, Robins had scored an even more crucial goal in the third round against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground three months earlier.

But, after seven years in charge of Coventry, Robins now only has eyes for the Sky Blues.

“I was there as a kid and came through there at United,” he said. “But my loyalties are certainly now with Coventry City.

“It’s at Wembley. It’s a brilliant occasion. We’ve got to come up with a plan that’s going to give us an opportunity to compete in the game and see where it takes us.”