STEVEN GERRARD turned and stared down a hostile Manchester United crowd who booed him as he walked to the dugout for this evening’s FA Cup clash at Old Trafford.
The Aston Villa manager got a less then friendly reaction from the Red Devils faithful because of his legendary status with their big rivals Liverpool.
Gerrard was often barracked by United fans during his incredible 17 years of service as a player for the Reds.
But this evening’s clash at Old Trafford was the first time he has led a side out as a manager.
The 41-year-old walked out of the tunnel and started making his way up the touchline.
As he did so he heard the loud boos coming from behind him and spun on his heels to stare back at the baying crowd.
The former England midfield was never one to shirk a challenge during his playing days and he seems to have taken that approach into management.
Gerrard’s relations with the Red Devils fraternity seemed to have improved in the summer when he revealed he been praised by legendary United manager Sir Alex Ferguson for the title-winning job he had done at Rangers.
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But the old instincts in the Old Trafford faithful reemerged as he stepped on to their pitch again this evening.
Gerrard succeeded sacked Dean Smith as Villa boss in November.
He revealed in 2012 that he once turned down the chance to play for Ferguson’s United, as well as Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid because he did not want to walk out on Liverpool.
However, it was the United fans who had the last laugh on this occasion, with their side running out 1-0 winners thanks to Scott McTominay’s first half header.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk