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Mark Robins once saved Sir Alex Ferguson’s job at Manchester United - but now he can potentially spell the end of Erik ten Hag. 

The Coventry manager takes on his former club on Sunday afternoon, live on talkSPORT, aiming to pull off a giant-killing and reach the FA Cup final. 

Robins will face his former club in the FA Cup semi-finals
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Robins will face his former club in the FA Cup semi-finalsCredit: Getty

Robins will have had fond memories rushing back once the draw was made for the semi-final ties as his Sky Blues were handed a glamour tie against Man United

He is a former Red Devil and began his career at the club, playing for the youth and first-team, making 61 appearances in total and scoring 16 goals. 

And the most important of those came in 1990. 

The former striker was only 20 years of age at the time and was just breaking through at United, who were going through a rough patch of form. 

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After a run of 11 league matches without a win, they were faced with the task of taking on Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup. 

It is widely reported that Ferguson’s job was on the line in that game, with another defeat potentially spelling the end of his time as boss. 

But Robins would save him, scoring the winning goal in the 56th minute and keeping United in the competition. 

That strike not only kept Sir Alex in a job, but it also led to an FA Cup title as the club went on to get their hands on the trophy, beating Crystal Palace in a final replay. 

Sir Alex had his job saved by Robins' goal in 1990
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Sir Alex had his job saved by Robins' goal in 1990Credit: Getty

It was a crucial goal and former United assistant manager and defender Mike Phelan believed that the win was the catalyst for their turnaround that season. 

Phelan told the Guardian: “We felt it was a massive game because we’d struggled a little bit leading up to it. 

“There was a lot of talk about Alex being under pressure but we were not thinking about that, we were focused on the game and how important it was for us in general to get some momentum.

“[The win] gave us belief. We started the season reasonably well but we faded a little bit and then all the outside noise crept in, hearing about how we were not as good as this team or that team in United’s history. 

“Those comments do not leave you until you start performing and winning games. Certain results at certain times are pivotal to your belief in what you can achieve. 

“From that big moment, it did cement the players after showing we had grit and determination.”

Knowing now what Manchester United went on to achieve under Sir Alex, Robins can be considered a saviour for the club and a pioneer in their success. 

However, he can strike a huge blow to their current situation and potentially cause Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag to lose his job. 

Robins could hand a damaging defeat to United at Wembley
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Robins could hand a damaging defeat to United at WembleyCredit: Getty
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Ten Hag has been walking a fine line this campaign, with his side falling off their usual standards in the Premier League and being knocked out of the Carabao Cup

United’s hopes of qualifying for a Champions League place are all but over too, and performances are leading to major questions over the Dutchman’s job. 

But winning the FA Cup could give him another lifeline. 

If his side are beaten though, it may spell the end for Ten Hag and Robins would have played a major part in another Man United manager’s future. 

Coventry are aiming to pull off a major giant-killing at Wembley to reach the final. 

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They have already beaten Premier League opposition in Wolves in the competition and will believe they can take another huge scalp. 

talkSPORT will have live coverage of the game on Sunday with commentary coming from Jim Proudfoot and Stuart Pearce

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