1
Manchester United forward Amad Diallo has warned his teammates that they’re in for a tough battle as they prepare to take on second-division rivals Coventry City this weekend.
United are set to make their way to Wembley to meet Mark Robins’ Coventry in the semi-final of the FA Cup on Sunday.
Amid a very disappointing campaign that currently has the Red Devils in seventh position in the Premier League after 12 top-flight defeats, lifting the FA Cup currently represents the last chance for Erik ten Hag and his players to restore some of the lost pride.
The Dutchman himself has said on several occasions that the FA Cup is do or die courtesy of how events have panned out this season.
Winning the domestic competition could also go a long way in boosting the 54-year-old’s claim to remain in the Old Trafford dugout even as uncertainties persist over his long-term future as manager of the club.
Needless to say, United will be heading into the game as heavy favourites compared to Coventry, who will almost certainly have to pull off something special to book their progress in the final.
However, Ten Hag will undoubtedly be wary of the threat posed by Robins’ side, who completed a dramatic comeback against Wolves in the quarter-final stage.
Amad Diallo, whose last-minute strike against Liverpool secured United a semi-final spot, spoke to club media and explained that Coventry are not to be taken lightly despite being Championship opposition.
The Ivorian, who played against Coventry last term while on loan at the Stadium of Light also noted a potential reunion with his former Sunderland teammate Ellis Simms.
Looking ahead to the clash, Amad said, “We are excited to play that game against Coventry. “I will meet Ellis Simms, who was my team-mate, the striker. I think my team-mates are ready for that game. We hope to win it and go to the final.”
“It was an unbelievable day for me after that goal [in the quarter-final]. I scored the last-minute goal, against a big team like Liverpool, so I was happy. It gives me a lot of confidence after that goal. I trained every day in training to be ready for every game so I was ready for that game. If I play, or I don’t play, every time, I am ready on the bench. I was excited and that goal gave me so much confidence.”
On his last meeting vs. Coventry, he added, “I remember we lost that game 2-1 but I scored a last-minute goal.”
“They are a young team, Coventry and a very exciting team. I don’t know which team they’ve had this season but I remember, last season, they had a very young team and the striker Viktor Gyokeres, who went to Sporting. They’re a very strong team, who play football and attack and just attack.”
The winger insisted that there are no excuses going forward and at this stage of the season, United will need to win every game.
Want to be the first to hear breaking Man United news? For carefully selected, crucial updates, join our WhatsApp channel: .
[…] source https://www.soccer2day.co.za/2024/04/17/amad-diallo-sends-crucial-warning-to-man-united-teammates-ab… […]