Despite being subjected to takeover attempts by nations, oligarchs and private equity firms in recent times, which has disturbed its equilibrium, football still upholds its playfully cheeky charm. The accumulation of wealth at a select few clubs in western Europe has changed the face of the game. Yet, regimes attempting to enhance their reputation and gain clout have found themselves exploiting this soft-power sport. One person who typifies the playful curveballs that football can throw is Mark Robins.
It was Robins who scored the decisive goal for Manchester United back in 1990 in their clash against Nottingham Forest, ensuring Alex Ferguson kept his job. His heroic efforts navigated Manchester United to the next round of the FA Cup, kickstarting a wave of drama that ended in cup glory. This win marked the ending of Ferguson’s fourth season and the beginning of his impressive 23 year reign, filled with abundant triumphs.
As a manager in the lower leagues, Robins has an exceptional track record. With a win in their outstanding game in the Championship, Coventry stands a chance to be just one point below the promotion playoffs. This past Saturday saw Coventry scoring two goals in the last minutes, conquering Wolves in an extraordinary quarter-final. Robins had previously locked horns with United as manager only once before, when his Barnsley side lost 2-0 in the League Cup in the 2009-10 season. It’s fitting that he surfaces again in this era dominated by Erik ten Hag discussions.
The recent roller coaster at Old Trafford with the 4-3 victory over Liverpool, was undoubtedly more thrilling than the triumph over Forest back in 1990. The latter has been overly romanticised due to its surrounding circumstances, graced with a header 11 minutes into the second half that led to a victory now recognised due to hindsight. On the other hand, United’s win over Liverpool represents a victory that will reverberate in the hearts of the United fans for eternity.
Sunday’s match felt like a historic throwback with players exhibiting visible signs of weariness, completely unlike the modern athletes we’re used to. Existing in the moment, the players weren’t conserving energy for the impending international games but relentlessly attacked their opponents in an effort to avoid penalty shoot-outs.
Both Harry Maguire and Diogo Dalot were the surviving defenders on Man United’s side, so deciphering their strategy was challenging. However, in a surprising twist, Maguire was seen making frequent appearances in Liverpool’s penalty box. This situation was a rare spectacle in modern football where a limping offensive player is rarely found covering the center back position.
Alejandro Garnacho, one of the few positive aspects of United’s season, was seen in his preferred right-sided role. However, the limited role of Amad Diallo – just four substitute appearances this season after his splendid performance on loan at Sunderland last year – left many United fans frustrated. Diallo had shown great ability last season, notably darting in from the right flank with his astonishing accuracy and velocity. His goals at Birmingham and Wigan were formidable, to say the least.
On the other hand, Diallo’s reintegration into United has been slow due to recovery from injury; somewhat disappointing to fans especially as United decided against extending his loan spell at Sunderland. Although it was not unexpected, given the unpredictability associated with the FA Cup, Diallo’s limited involvement was an underwhelming development. This victory, while celebratory, draws a vivid picture of Matt Busby’s time at the club – triumph achieved not through tactical intricacies or smart counterattacks but purely through players’ individual toil.
Asserting that Sunday’s performance is a sign of his compatibility with Ten Hag’s tactical approach would not be entirely truthful, as the match circumstances did not require much structural coherence. However, what Diallo unequivocally demonstrated was his fighting spirit during tumultuous periods during the match. Notably, he made the tactical decision to use his prominence foot after retrieving the ball and receiving Garnacho’s pass at the box’s periphery. Even though Conor Bradley was cautious, Diallo only employs his right foot in desperate situations. Ignoring the temptation to use his right foot, he let the ball roll further, creating a better angle, and successfully scored, deceiving Caoimhín Kelleher in the process who presumed the move he’d take next after seeing the drop of his right shoulder. Some say the shot was not well-executed but it was effective, and Holloway showed brilliant foresight in using his stronger foot to score.
Whether this performance could secure Ten Hag’s position remains uncertain. Arguably, United’s future decisions hold less significance than the joy of defeating their most formidable opponents, a victory that will echo for many years to come. At the bare minimum, even if Ten Hag’s tenure concludes this summer, Sunday’s triumphant performance will ensure that he is fondly remembered by supporters.