sunday's fa cup semifinal at wembley brings together manchester united and a man who's credited with playing a famous part in their success. mark robins is now the manager of championship team coventry, but legend has it that his goal for united in the fa cup — when they were struggling in the early years of alex ferguson's reign — helped save his boss' job. what followed at old trafford was two decades and more of historic achievement, ensuring that robins' link to his former club endures to this day. it puts into perspective. united have always been a top, top club and to be involved in that was a brilliant experience. to win the competition, i had just been brought into the team in the squad and played a part in the run—up to the finals. so it was a brilliant time. what can i say? it's part of my experience, part of my footballing