MANCHESTER UNITED face Coventry in a make-or-break FA Cup clash this weekend.
The Red Devils will look to progress to their second successive FA Cup final with a win over the Championship side on Sunday.
GettyMan Utd are at risk of finishing on negative goal difference for the first time since 1990[/caption]
News Group Newspapers LtdThat was the same year Sir Alex Ferguson won his first trophy, the FA Cup, with the Red Devils[/caption]
With just the Cup and a spot in Europe left to play for this season, Erik ten Hag will be desperate for a result at Wembley.
However, it won’t be an easy task with in-form Coventry flying high in the Championship.
United have endured a dreadful season, slumping to seventh in the Premier League and being dumped out of the Champions League in the group stages.
But that doesn’t even tell the full story, with Ten Hag’s side toothless in attack and facing among the highest amounts shots or any team in Europe.
They are even at risk of finishing a league season with fewer goals scored than conceded for the first time since 1990, when they netted 46 and let in 47.
So far this season the Red Devils have scored 47 goals and let in 48.
But while the numbers are not in their favour, it could actually be a good omen.
Sir Alex Ferguson won his first trophy – the FA Cup – with Man Utd in 1990 despite the club’s scoring record.
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Man Utd are LUCKY to be seventh in the table… one particular stat is terrible, say Dave Kidd
By Dave Kidd
THE frightening thing about Manchester United’s season is that they should really be LOWER than seventh in the Premier League.
Even during their current run of one win in seven league matches, United’s results have been better than their performances.
Erik ten Hag’s team deserved to lose each of their last three drawn games against Brentford, Liverpool and Bournemouth.
On goal difference, United are ninth in the league, while only seven teams have scored fewer than their 47 goals.
And if we give any credence to ‘expected points’, then that stat would have them 15th in the table.
If Ten Hag’s men lose Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final to Championship side Coventry, it should not come as a major surprise.
Click here to read Dave Kidd’s column in full.
To read more from Dave Kidd, click here.
Ten Hag stormed out of a press conference on Saturday after being told United are at risk of suffering their worst-ever season.
He said: “I don’t comment. That is not important for this moment,” before leaving the room.
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