This from the EFL in regards to the FA Cup replays:

 

The EFL wishes to clarify further its position in respect of yesterday’s Premier League and Football Association bi-lateral announcement over the removal of FA Cup replays and the role of the League’s representatives on the Professional Game Board (PGB).

 

The agreement which now sees the abolition of replays from the competition format was agreed solely between the Premier League and FA. Ahead of the deal being announced there was no agreement with the EFL nor was there any formal consultation with EFL Clubs as members of the FA and participants in the competition.

 

In September 2023, the EFL did initially discuss with Clubs potential changes to the FA Cup format but only as part of a wider and more fundamental change to financial distributions. As is now clear, there has been no movement in this area since September.

 

This latest agreement between the Premier League and the FA, in the absence of financial reform, is just a further example of how the EFL and its Clubs are being marginalised in favour of others further up the pyramid and that only serves to threaten the future of the English game.

Not sure what to think of the replays! It doesn't make too much difference for me but I've just seen a post from Rochdale when scrolling through Facebook talking about it having a significant impact for the lower-league teams as they potentially lose the chance to have another match at another venue.

I've always thought that replays are part of the FA Cup, including the ties that went to several replays before penalty shoot-outs were introduced. Therefore, I don't like this decision.

 

Unsurprisingly, lower league clubs are unhappy with this, particularly as the decision seems t have been made by the FA and the Premier League with other clubs being ignored. One possible compromise might be to say that ties between clubs two or more divisions apart will always be played at the lower-ranked side, regardless of how they were4 drawn. This used to be the rule in the French Cup; I'm not sure whether it still applies.

Honestly hope we lose this semi now to all but guarantee ETH's departure.

We don't deserve that. I could never believe that a FA Cup semi final win would feel so hollow.

VAR dening what would have been the greatest FA Cup comeback in the modern era, feel for Coventry City and their fans.

Indeed, the lack of joy is twofold. One because it was a totally undeserved win and two because we're gonna get our asses handed to us one again by Citeh.

That match was so embarrassing to watch! To be 3-0 ahead against a Championship side with 20 minutes to go and then to concede 3 is shameful. Coventry could have won it with the chance they had that hit the bar and the disallowed goal at the end. It's not even worth celebrating this win after that.

 

 

More than 100 years of the FA Cup since it's inception without a Manchester derby in the final and then two come along at once. I guess the FA will again partially engrave the trophy with the word "Manchester" prior to the final taking place like they did last year. In the final if we play like how we did today then it will be 100% guaranteed that "City" will be the word that follows after the final whistle just like it did last year.

Hardlines for Coventry - they really are a decent side and have enjoyed watching Wright/Simms/O’Hare all season and considering they lost their top scorer from last year to Sporting Lisbon. Always like when a good championship side can show the arrogance of the premier league they can actually play as well. And that’s not a hit at United fans it at All premier league fans. Suppose it’s fitting that the week they got rid of replays to suit the big sides the final was decided by such a close VAR decision, sums football up in the 2020s!

 

The thing is United could easily decide to turn up in the final and beat City!

 

And I just can’t at Anthony and Fernandes slabbering and showing no class when they won. Least Harry Maguire showed them the respect they deserved.

No coincidence at all every time ETH subs off Garnacho for Antony the entire game goes to shit.

The FA Cup final between Manchester City and Manchester United will kick off at 15:00 BST.

 

For the repeat of last year’s final between the same teams, the match has been bought forward from 17:30 BST.

 

The Football Association said the kick-off time was moved after being agreed with “the clubs, local authority, members of the safety advisory group and broadcasters".

Have a feeling United will win on Saturday for some reason. Just think City will have an off day after easily winning last year and city will be complacent. Has the feel of the cup final in 2016 as well with the manager and all.

Can't see it but the city players were hungover on Monday and Martinez and Varane are back so its looking like it should be a competitive game

I can actually watch this now thanks to that time switch, but maybe that's a bad thing!

 

If we can avoid conceding after 10 seconds like last year then that's already an improvement.

I think we'll lose today to round off a disappointing season and it will 100% be Ten Hag's last match in charge at Man United.

Hopefully we can keep it tight for the first 14 seconds or so.......put down a marker and frustrate them!

Garnacho!!!!

Happy to be proven wrong so far! Let's keep a clean sheet now.

Bruno looked at Mainoo before even getting into the box. Sensational awareness.

Mainoo booked for Man United.