SHAUN MALONEY got two hours of Fergie time that could leave Erik ten Hag up the junction.
He was granted an audience with Manchester United’s legendary boss Sir Alex after bumping into the great man’s son Jason on a train.
The “precious” conversation that followed that chance meeting helped him on his journey into management.
Now the Wigan gaffer is planning to derail the Red Devils for the second time in his career.
The ex-winger scored a brilliant curler that gave Latics a 1–0 win over visiting United and sent Fergie’s Prem title bid into the buffers.
Now a giant-killing by his League One strugglers would put current Old Trafford gaffer Ten Hag under even more pressure.
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Maloney said: “I began supporting United when Sir Alex left my home town Aberdeen for Old Trafford.
“I got to meet him for the first time when I was at Aston Villa.
“We took a beating that night but I remember him speaking after and wishing me good luck for a national team game that was coming up.”
Once Maloney retired from playing, his ex-Wigan boss Roberto Martinez hired him as a coach in 2018 while in charge of Belgium.
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Then came his meeting with Sir Alex and he explained: “I got lucky, I was on a train heading down to London and his son walked by.
“We got speaking and I said that I would love to meet his dad.
“We swapped emails and the very next day he sent me an email, I got in touch, his secretary arranged for me to meet him.
“It was just by chance. So really, really fortunate then, and I just sat and listened to him for two hours.
“I think as I was such a big fan I got to ask him questions. Managerial questions but also about the history of the club — everything really.”
Maloney, who worked as assistant manager at Belgium under Roberto Martinez: “Belgium still had some really elite players, massive players like De Bruyne, Kompany, Courtois and Hazard. He had lots at that level at United and I wanted to hear how he handled players like that.
“It was incredibly precious of him to give me those two hours.”
One subject not mentioned was THAT goal in what is Wigan’s only ever win over United in 19 attempts.
It allowed Manchester City to have the last–day Sergio Aguero moment that ignited their Prem domination.
Maloney said with a smile: “He didn’t speak about it, no, and funnily enough I didn’t bring it up! But you don’t forget it though, do you?”
Maloney was also part of the team managed by Martinez which produced a Wembley miracle to win the FA Cup against City in 2013.
The Scot remains close with his former Latics boss and Maloney admitted: “I owe Roberto a lot.
“His influence has been huge, particularly the playing side.
“He had a certain style of play I hadn’t been coached on before for really big moments like this one.
“Some of the best times I had when I was a player and with Belgium came under him and in the biggest moments there was just a stable mood.
“The way he acted, how you trained, was exactly the same whether you were playing against Manchester United or a lower division team in the cup.
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“That was a real big attribute that he had and it’s one I follow.
“Monday night’s game is a huge challenge but I am determined to say calm, stable and not change our style just because we are playing against United.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
