A boyhood Manchester City fan will be looking to pile more misery on Erik ten Hag and Man Utd this weekend.
Published 18th Apr 2024, 12:58 BST
There will be extra pressure on Manchester United when they face Coventry City in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley this weekend.
Despite their erratic form all season, United head into the match as favourites and know the entire world will be willing the Championship side on to cause an almighty upset on Sunday afternoon.
Coventry will relish the underdog tag, none more so than striker Ellis Simms. The 23-year-old, who was born in Oldham, grew up as a Man City fan and has the added incentive of family ties as he looks to pile more misery on Erik ten Hag.
With 18 goals in all competitions so far this season, including five from five in the FA Cup, Simms would love nothing more than ending United's hopes of a second successive FA Cup final.
Speaking to ITV Central, the Coventry forward was asked if he still supported Man City: "Yeah, as a kid. I was born in Oldham. My dad was a massive City fan, so whenever I had the chance, I went down to watch them.
“I also came through the Man City academy, so I have also had that connection with Man City. As you get older, you kind of grow out of it in a way. They are a top quality side.”
It would be even sweeter for Simms if he managed to score against his former club in an FA Cup final at Wembley, but for now he is fully focused on getting past United first.
He added: “We have got a tough semi-final first. The fans are going to be right behind us, we are all looking forward to that game. We know it will be tough but we just can’t wait for that one.”