Coventry City0-0 Man United – FA Cup semi-final: Live score, team news and updates as Casemiro starts in central defence for Erik ten Hag’s men

Nathan Salt, Mail Sport, at Wembley Stadium:

New technical director Jason Wilcox is among those in the royal box today and I wonder what he’s made of this start. United predictably enjoying more of the ball but it’s not like they’ve in any way troubled Bradley Collins in goal. Decision-making in the final third has been suspect so far.

The pattern of the game is there for all to see.

Manchester United will have nearly all the ball it seems, Coventry are content sitting deep and are putting bodies on the line.

however, the threat of the counter-attack is huge, one ball over the top and it looks like Coventry are in.

It nearly happened again there, but Diogo Dalot managed to get back in time in front of Haji Wright.

Brilliant tackle by Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

Coventry City make their first real foray up the pitch and Milan van Ewijk looks like he is in on the right-hand side, but as he does often, Wan-Bissaka slides in to put the ball out for a corner.

Nothing comes from it for the Sky Blues, but that proves they can cause United problems on the counter-attack.

That’s a big chance for Man United!

United have had a lot of the ball early on, as expected, and they lump it forward. Alejandro Garnacho gets in behind but completely misses the ball.

It may have been a touch chance but he had to at least get a connection on the ball. If he did, we may have had our first goal.

Coventry fans have not stopped singing, and they get to cheer for the first time in the match.

Kobbie Mainoo sets Manchester United on the attack. but they can’t break down the Coventry backline.

Ben Sheaf, the Coventry captain, then comes away with the ball and wins a free-kick, which brings a huge roar.

It is deafening inside Wembley, what an atmosphere!

Can Coventry upset the Manchester United apple cart, or will United meet Manchester City in the final once again?

The whistle goes, we are underway!

Wembley is absolutely bouncing, mainly because of the Coventry fans.

The teams are getting ready in the tunnel, and there are smiles on the Coventry players’ faces, it’s a huge day for them.

They now walk into the pitch bathed in glorious sunshine, what a beautiful day it is, you could definitely tan in this weather!

Ian Ladyman, Mail Sport Football Editor, at Wembley Stadium:

Man United manager Erik ten Hag makes an awful lot of his team’s injuries and it doesn’t wash. However, you do only have to look at the United bench today to realise that they are down on numbers.

If I am honest, there are some names on there that I don’t recognise, and that speaks volumes. Ten Hag’s first XI here is still good enough to win the game comfortably but I will be fascinated to see if United can actually dominate and control a game of football for the first time in a long time. This is opposition from the Championship after all…

This is what both teams are playing for. The FA Cup.

Manchester United came so close to getting their hands on it last season but were narrowly beaten by rival Manchester City in the final.

If they were to win again today, that’s who they would be meeting on Saturday 25 May, after the Citizens bagged a late win over Chelsea in yesterday’s semi-final.

Will it be sky blues vs sky blue, or will we be able to recycle last year’s matchday programmes?

The Coventry fans are really making the most out of their day, it’s great to see!

It’s a sea of blue within Wembley at the moment and the noise they are making throughout the warm-ups is impressive – they’re very loud.

Will they be waving their flags in delight come 5.30pm?

Nathan Salt, Mail Sport, at Wembley Stadium:

You can barely hear the Manchester United team being read out over the PA as Coventry fans drown it out with a chorus of boos. Super stuff. Love a bit of needle

How big will today be in terms of Erik ten Hag’s future at Manchester United?

Questions are being asked of Erik ten Hag, United have been having a torrid time this season.

This is their last chance to win a trophy this season, and if they manage that it will be interesting to see if Ten Hag stays at the club.

If they lose today though, it’s hard to see him in the dugout next campaign.

This is arguably the biggest match in Coventry’s history since they won the competition 37 years ago.

No matter what happens, I’m sure all these fans are having the time of their lives today.

We all love a trip to Wembley!

What a journey Coventry City have been on.

The fact the Sky Blues are at Wembley today is a testament to the management of Mark Robins, and their owners.

If you told their fans six years ago that they would be in an FA Cup semi-final within the next decade, they would have laughed in your face. Well, here they are.

The Sky Blues have been down to League Two and faced numerous Stadium troubles – it’s been a tumultuous couple of decades.

However, now they have the chance to repeat what the club did back in 1987 and win the competition.

This is only the second time they have gotten to this stage, and they don’t want to waste it!

What a day today could be for Ellis Simms.

The 23-year-old starts up top for Coventry today and is looking to knock out the club he has seen as rivals for most of his life.

Chris Wheeler, Mail Sport, spoke to Simms about his journey and what today means in an exclusive interview.

It’s a brilliant read, I must say.

See for yourself, click below:

Mark Robins, Coventry City manager, speaking to ITV:

This is a big day as it’s only the second time the club’s been here in a semi-final. We’re playing against world-class players, you know the significant threats that they pose.

We’ve had some dark times. We beat Oxford in the Checkatrade Trophy. That was a significant one. The new ownership has given us fresh energy.

In theory, you can go at them but we’ve got to make sure we’re still in the game. I’m hoping they have an off day. If you get caught up in it you could be in trouble. If you remain calm we’ve got players who can hurt them.

Manchester United’s problems at the back simply won’t stop.

It seems like a new defender is injured every week, and that doesn’t change today as Willy Kambwala is out.

Casemiro is being trusted to line up alongside Harry Maguire – United’s only fit centre-back – which is a huge boost for Coventry.

There is no doubting Casemiro’s ability as the anchor in midfield, he has been one of the world’s best for years, but even his exploits in the midfield aren’t quite what they used to be.

How will he cope at Wembley today?

Nathan Salt, Mail Sport, at Wembley Stadium:

Casemiro at centre-back… this is going to be interesting. It’s just the one change for United with the rest of the team as you’d expect. But it’s another different back four – I make it the 28th different combination – and it’s fair to question Casemiro’s athleticism. Corrr, Ellis Simms, and Haji Wright must be licking their lips.

Mark Robins makes two changes.

Callum O’Hare and Josh Eccles come into the side, replacing Victor Torp and Kasey Palmer.

Is this the side that can cause another upset?

Wow, Casemiro is set to start at the heart of the defence, Manchester United’s defensive troubles continue.

Willy Kambwala misses out through injury, hence why Casemiro starts at the back, so Scott McTominay comes into the midfield as the only change.

How are the nerves United fans?

Surely excitement is building for everybody, both sides have arrived at Wembley ready to do battle.

The Coventry players have had a look at the pitch and they certainly look happy to be there – lots of smiling being done.

The team news is just minutes away, who can we expect to see?

Mark Robins, Coventry City manager, on Saturday:

First and foremost, we’ve got to be right. We’ve lost three of our last four, it’s not brilliant form that’s for sure at this stage of the season.

People have been talking about, has there been one eye on this game? I doubt it, although you could be forgiven for thinking about the game before it’s played.

We know they are clearly favourites to win this game by a million miles, they are expected to win, it’s as simple as that.

What a journey Coventry have been on!

It’s safe to say their route to the semi-final has been exciting to follow. They swept aside Oxford United, Sheffield Wednesday, and Maidstone United before a midlands derby with Wolves in the quarter-final.

I remember exactly where I was for that match, I was sitting with a Coventry fan in their living room and I have never seen anybody celebrate a last-minute winner quite like it.

The Sky Blues dominated the Premier League side, but after they relinquished their 1-0 lead late on, they looked down and out =.

However, two stoppage-time strikes brought bedlam from the away end, and stunned Molineux. It was one of the wildest endings to a tie I have ever seen.

Now here they are, back at Wembley. Can they put the cat amongst the pigeons once again?

Nathan Salt, Mail Sport, at Wembley Stadium:

Plenty of optimistic Coventry fans to bump into down Wembley Way. Safe to say Man United don’t hold any fear factor for the Championship side – and in truth, they shouldn’t.

United have proven so hit and miss and with only one fit senior centre-back available in Harry Maguire, I bet Ellis Simms is licking his lips.

I think it’s fair to say that Manchester United have not been in the best of form recently.

United’s last win in all competitions actually came in the FA Cup, against Liverpool, and what a win that was.

On paper, Erik ten Hag’s side are huge favourites to progress to their second final in as many years, but football isn’t played on paper.

Coventry have endured a fabulous run in the competition, they are the highest scorers in the FA Cup proper this season.

Today is a massive day for the Sky Blues and their supporters, they won’t make life easy for United whatsoever.

It’s going to be an enthralling semi-final!

I love FA Cup semi-final weekend, it’s one of the best of the season. After getting to enjoy one fabulous affair, you get to enjoy it all over again a day later.

So, now we know one half of the FA Cup final, but who is going to meet holders Manchester City on Saturday 25 May?

Coventry fans never thought they’d be back so soon after they left Wembley 11 months ago following their playoff final defeat to Luton Town, but the Sky Blues stand between Manchester United and a replay of last year’s final.

The sun is intermittently coming out in London and Wembley is looking as stunning as ever, it’s a glorious day for it.

Let’s get this show on the road!