Wigan Athletic manager Shaun Maloney has already made history against Manchester United and he’s hoping to make more when his side host the Reds in the upcoming FA Cup third round tie.
Maloney, who played for Wigan before becoming their manager, scored the winning goal in their only victory against United. He will be hoping there’s another upset on the cards when the two teams meet on Monday night.
After making 90 appearances for Wigan and scoring against United in April 2012, Maloney will need a bit of luck for his League One side when United come to town – but we’ve not been at our best this season.
Maloney spoke to reporters ahead of the game against United and he was asked about his goal in 2012, to which he replied (via Manchester Evening News): “That was also a big moment for our club at that time, we needed the win ourselves. The brilliant thing about the environment and the style of play Roberto [Martinez] created, was the feeling we could match and beat anybody at our best.
“That first half against Manchester United was probably, in my opinion, the best performance I’ve felt part of within a team, playing against one of the elite. Roberto created that feeling, and when we got it right, we felt we could beat any team. Particularly on that night, we produced an incredible performance that will live long in the memory.
“I’m really, really happy with the draw. As soon as we saw Manchester United come out, everyone at the club was delighted. It brings back so many happy memories of when we were in the Premier League, and we got to play these teams on a regular basis.
“And it’s amazing for the players, who have worked very hard to get where they have. York was a very difficult game, the conditions were hard, Exeter away prior to that was the same, and they deserve the chance to play against one of the most historic clubs in the world.”
Maloney also revealed his affection for United, adding: “I grew up a Celtic fan, and I’ll always be that, but at the same time, because of where I’m from, Aberdeen, with Sir Alex Ferguson going down to Manchester United… you always had a second team as a kid, and they were mine.
“It’s a club I travelled down as a kid to watch, at the start of the 1990s, at a time where they were just beginning to become incredibly successful again. So this game will be a great test, but also a great privilege to be a manager against a club that means so much to me.”
A cup run would go a long way to boost spirits around Old Trafford and it starts by needing a win at Wigan.
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