Manchester United youngster Sonny Aljofree has spoken of his desire to beat Liverpool this weekend in the FA Cup.
The United academy product has been on loan at Accrington Stanley this season and he has made himself a key member of the starting lineup, playing 16 games in all competitions while scoring his first two senior goals.
He will be desperate to be in the starting lineup when his side travel to Anfield later today in the FA Cup third round aiming for a massive giant killing.
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News ahead of the tie he revealed his excitement when watching the cup draw with his family.
“I was sat in the kitchen, having my tea with my family and I saw Liverpool come up and I had just a funny feeling. I was like, ‘I can’t play against United at Old Trafford, so the next best thing will probably be Liverpool here’.
“I said to my mum, ‘This is gonna be us here’. Obviously, it came up and all of us have just gone off and started cheering.”
Speaking on the prospect of facing the Premier League leaders he commented, “it’s another chance to learn and gain valuable experience. I think everyone’s up for it, and I definitely am because as a United fan, you want to beat them, so that’s what we’re going there to do, hopefully.”
The 20 year old then spoke about his preparation for the game, which included carefully studying United’s backline against Liverpool last weekend in the first team’s 2-2 draw.
“United are playing a similar formation to what we play, so I was putting myself in the shoes of Yoro and De Ligt and the defenders, of what I’d be doing and picking up the little things that Liverpool do when they win the ball back or lose the ball and making sure I’m kind of manifesting what I’m going to be doing in that situation.”
Aljofree also pinpointed some of the key differences between academy football and senior football by claiming game management was much more relevant in the Football League due to every point mattering.
He also believes that League Two has made him a more flexible player as all the stadiums, atmospheres, teams and playing styles all differ greatly in comparison to the Premier League 2.
The youngster also highlighted the physical nature of the league but that he is finding ways to deal with it.
“Also, being able to deal with bigger players, more stronger players than me but still finding a way to win a duel and get the better of my opponent, even though I might be physically underdeveloped compared to them at the minute. But I think the positive thing is I’m finding the ways to deal with these types of players and I’ve only got more to come physically as well as game understanding.”
Finally the youngster was also very complimentary of the support he has received from the club since being out on loan and that they have been in constant contact with him offering him advice and helping to smooth the transition of being away from Old Trafford.
Aljofree and Accrington Stanley will be hoping for one of the greatest FA Cup shocks when they take on Liverpool at Anfield at 12.15 UK time this afternoon.
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Alex Browne
Alex is a huge Manchester United fan, inspired by greats of his homeland such as George Best, Harry Gregg and Norman Whiteside. Proud owner of such niche shirts such as Kleberson, Eric Djemba-Djemba and Gary Neville. Grew up pretending to be Ruud van Nistelrooy and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the back garden, with little success.
