On that young talent – is there anyone United should be looking out for on Monday?
“Yeah, I think for a lot of the young players – especially the really young ones – it’s always about consistency, isn’t it? It’s about producing week in, week out. But in terms of talent, we’ve got the likes of Thelo Aasgaard and Stephen Humphrys has been in good form. I think, at the weekend, it was seven Academy graduates who started the game, but don’t quote me on that! There’s obviously more in the squad too, so we have even more players coming through.”
The manager Shaun Maloney scored the winner the only time Wigan have ever beaten United, in April 2012 – is that one he likes to relive with you all or does he keep it on the down-low!?
“He’s not mentioned it yet, no! You can tell by listening to him speak and talking to him that he holds this competition in high regard and he’s obviously got great memories from winning it himself [with Wigan in 2013]. So yeah, I think it’s one that he’s looking forward to.”
Is this a special game for you? You played seven first-team games for United – looking back, what are the highlights?
“I think it would have to be my debut against Middlesbrough in the League Cup at 18, just because I can’t think of many others that have done it at that age, really, as a keeper. It was kind of a sink or swim moment, because it’s a big ask in terms of maturity. There’s a lot of pressure at United, as you’ve seen over the years, and it’s a role that not many have got to grips with straightaway. It’s a high-pressure role, particularly at that club.”
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