Adam Dennehey WAFU manager
Of course on Boxing Day, Manchester United host Wigan Athletic at Old Trafford With that in mind it’s worth looking at these 5 individuals who have spent time at United and Wigan in their careers.
Sir Bobby Charlton
A large majority of Wigan fans will probably not know that the legend that is Sir Bobby saw out the 1983 season in charge of thei Latics after their manager and former Liverpool player Larry Lloyd left to join Notts County who were looking for a new coach.
Saying that though, Charlton isn’t really known as a manager in the game due to his outstanding career which saw him win almost every honour in the game from League titles with United to winning the World Cup with England alongside his brother Jack.
Roy Carroll
Despite winning three trophies at United in a four-year spell, goalkeeper Carroll will sadly only be remembered by many United fans as the goalkeeper who dropped Pedro Mendes’ shot that was ‘the goal that never was’ from 50 yards out over the line against Spurs.
Roy to his credit has overcome gambling and alcohol-related problems to get his career back on track and after a struggling spell at Derby County has enjoyed successful spells on the continent first at Danish side Odense and now at Greek side OFI Crete.
Tom Cleverley
Before Paul Scholes retired in the summer, silky midfielder Cleverley had already been dubbed the ‘new Scholes’ due to the creativity and imagination that he possesses on the ball in midfield as well as his hunger to get stuck in and make challenges.
Tom just like his best pal Danny Welbeck has shown that going out on loan is the best thing for young players and after impressing out on loan at Leciester City and Watford in the football league, giving his all for a Wigan side that just avoided the drop last season.
Pat McGibbon
Rather sadly for Northern Irishman McGibbon he is often remembered as being one of the worst players to have featured for the club under Sir Alex Ferguson. His only appearance at United came in a Second Round League Cup tie at home to York City at Old Trafford.
It was a disastrous debut for Pat who got sent off. He never played for the club again and was sent out on loan to Swansea (where he played once) and Wigan before a permanent deal to join Athletic was agreed in 1997. He is now manager of Northern Irish side Newry City.
Antonio Valencia
Despite being a traditional right-winger, Valencia is comfortable on the left and in either full-back position and has become a real ‘unsung’ hero at Old Trafford due to his versatility and his unselfishness since he joined from Wigan in 2009 after the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid.
Antonio’s a completely different winger from Ronaldo and whilst he is not as flashy or as explosive as Ronaldo was, he is more of a ‘team player’ and is a reliable player who has a good career ahead of him. Spanish side Villarreal must be rueing the fact that they never gave him a chance.
By Adam Dennehey @ADennehey87
