Despite a rather poor season all around at Manchester United, the club are somehow still in the running for two trophies.
Two FA Cups, to be precise.
The men’s side secured their place in the FA Cup semi-finals thanks to a dramatic 4-3 victory over rivals Liverpool.
They face Coventry City on Sunday 21 April at 3pm, live on talkSPORT, for a place in the finals against either Manchester City or Chelsea.
Meanwhile, it was far smoother sailing for the women’s side in the quarter-finals as they cruised to a 4-0 victory over Brighton.
They host Chelsea in a replay of last year’s Women’s FA Cup final on Sunday 14 April from 2:35pm, live on talkSPORT 2.
With the men’s side sixth in the Premier League table and the women’s side fourth in the WSL, neither team will be overjoyed with their league performances this season.
It is particularly disappointing for the women’s side given that they in a record second place in the WSL last season – just two points behind winners Chelsea.
And neither manager is escaping the blame for what can be described as an indifferent season, at best.
For both Erik ten Hag and Marc Skinner, the chance of FA Cup glory represents a chance to snatch a piece of victory from the jaws of defeat.
Men’s team manager ten Hag remains under pressure after a season which has seen them lose 17 games in all competitions, their most defeats since the 1989-90 season.
As for Skinner, it has been reported by BBC Sport that the women’s team manager is involved in contract talks at Man United, and that he is keen to remain in his post beyond the end of the season.
A first ever trophy for Man United Women would certainly help Skinner’s case.
Two steps forward, one step back: Man United Women’s struggles
There is more behind Man United’s struggles this season than the absence of Lionesses striker Alessia Russo.
She is undoubtedly a huge loss, but the skill of forward Nikita Parris should in theory have been enough to fill that gap.
Indeed, Parris has scored 16 goals in her 24 appearances for the club this season – a record which once again raises the question as to why Sarina Wiegman decided not to call the striker up to the England squad.
In addition to the loss of Russo, the departure of right-back Ona Batlle to Barcelona has perhaps been even more harmful given the number of goals Man United have conceded this season in the WSL (23).
And perhaps Batlle’s loss might not have been felt quite so keenly this season had they not also lost one of their crucial summer signings, Gabby George, to an ACL injury.
Having signed the defender from Everton on deadline day in a very shrewd bit of business, George then picked up the injury in just their fourth game of the season, a 1-1 draw with Leicester City in the WSL.
It is worth noting that Man United did not lose any of their games while George was fit and playing for them.
As soon as George was injured, they lost their very next match to PSG in the Champions League qualifiers.
George’s absence is naturally not the only reason for Man United’s struggles, but the team looked stronger with her in it.
Man United’s problems this season are probably a combination of their personnel changes, coupled with the fact that their standards are rather high after a season in which they undoubtedly overperformed.
Judging them on this season may be premature – the real test will come next season after a summer which could see them lose Parris, captain Katie Zelem and England hero Mary Earps.
It will be a good litmus test in understanding Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s commitment to the women’s side too.
Manchester United vs Chelsea in the Women’s FA Cup on Sunday 14 April is live on talkSPORT 2 from 2pm.
News Summary:
- Erik ten Hag not the only Manchester United boss relying on FA Cup success
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