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Paul Scholes has described Salford City’s FA Cup third round tie against Manchester City as a ‘reward’ in a moving message to supporters ahead of their fairytale clash.
The Ammies travel to the Etihad on Saturday evening to face Pep Guardiola, 11 years after Scholes and a number of his former Manchester United teammates took charge of the club.
Several members of United’s famous ‘Class of 92’ including Gary and Phil Neville, Ryan Giggs, Nicky Butt and Scholes plus billionaire Peter Lim have been at the helm as the side has achieved four promotions in five seasons.
Scholes praised the contribution of the League Two fanbase and looked forward to their clash against the Premier League champions.
“More than a decade ago this journey began with 80 fans against Curzon Ashton at home in the eighth tier of English football,” he wrote on Instagram. ‘And now in the fourth tier, about to play in the third round of the FA Cup against the best team of recent years and sell 5.5 thousand away tickets.
“It feels like a huge reward for all the players, staff and fans who have helped us get to where we are today and I can’t wait to see [Salford City] on this stage, whatever happens, it is a very proud day for everyone involved (promotion remains the priority).”
Paul Scholes has described Salford City’s FA Cup tie against Manchester City as a ‘reward’ for all the hard work put in by players and fans.
The former Manchester United midfielder posted a moving message for supporters ahead of the match
The Premier League champions welcome the League Two side to the Etihad in the Cup on Saturday evening
On Friday, Guardiola refrained from getting involved in a light-hearted war or altercation with Marcel. The former United defender branded Manchester City ‘difficult to watch’ 11 months ago and said he was ‘bored’ of watching Guardiola’s side.
Despite his joke, Guardiola was in no mood to settle old scores on a cold afternoon in Manchester on Friday. Instead, he suggested that the job Neville holds as an expert is one he could never take on himself.
“I don’t think I’ll do that,” said the City boss, who is looking to win his third FA Cup. “I am careful or concerned not to make any comment that could offend my colleagues.
‘I know how difficult our work is. I don’t want to pretend that I’m sitting there and I know what happened. It’s so unpredictable and a lot of things happen.
‘If I hurt someone, it’s always childbirth, if I don’t want it. It’s to defend my club.
‘I’ve always felt how difficult it is. I used to be a footballer and now a manager. Our affairs are so complicated. It’s unpredictable, so difficult. I don’t want to hurt my colleagues.
“Maybe (becoming an expert) will happen in the future, but honestly, I don’t think so.”