City fan Davies is out to add to United’s woes
Scott Davies grew up idolising a club very much in the shadow of Manchester United so the Tranmere captain would relish putting one over the Premier League giants today.
Aged 32, Davies recalls United’s years of supremacy under Sir Alex Ferguson all too painfully, but the lifelong Manchester City supporter reflected with some satisfaction about how the tide has turned in recent years.
While Davies insists he will keep his emotions in check for the fourthround encounter at Prenton Park, the goalkeeper hopes Tranmere can increase the pressure on United’s underfire manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
“Twenty years of my childhood and growing up as a teenager was absolute torture, so the last 10 years or so has been great,” he said
“They always looked down on Man City over the years, but now it’s turned around quickly. If myself and my football club can have an influence on them having another bad day then great.
“It would be unbelievable. I’ve already had plenty of text messages along those lines, from United supporters as well!
“I’m not a big lover of Man United, I’ll be totally honest, but I’ll be totally professional and approach the game in a different manner.”
Davies was in the away end when City claimed a seminal 6-1 victory over their city rivals at Old Trafford in 2011.
He added: “It was a great day for me and my old man – he’s a huge City supporter and he has been going there for 30 years.
“I go to most home games and a lot of away games when we’re not playing Sunday, and midweek games, so I’ve been to plenty of derbies at Old Trafford and at City.
“There’s a big hatred for Manchester United in the family,” he added.
Tranmere advanced to this stage courtesy of an extra-time victory over Watford in their third-round replay on Thursday night, but Davies admitted United will prove an even more formidable foe this weekend.
“We’re under no illusions that it will be a huge task,” Davies said.
“We don’t just want to compete, we want to win. We can play in with no pressure,” he added.