Ferguson aimed foul-mouthed blast at ex-Wigan star after goal on Man Utd debut
All eyes will be on the DW Stadium on Monday night, as League One Wigan host Manchester United in the FA Cup.
Many fans will remember Wigan's eight-year stay in the Premier League, which culminated with their famous 1-0 victory against Manchester City in the 2013 FA Cup final. Yet the Latics now sit just four points above League One's relegation zone.
United have also struggled since 2013 - when Sir Alex Ferguson called time on his managerial career. The Red Devils haven't won the Premier League title since and are eighth in the table under Erik ten Hag, having already been knocked out Europe.
Monday night's game gives both teams the opportunity to inject some joy into their respective campaign. Some stars have played for both clubs - including Roy Carroll, Tom Cleverley, Antonio Valencia and one of Ferguson's last signings: Nick Powell.
The attacking midfielder, now 29, was tipped to become United's next superstar after Ferguson snapped him up from local rivals Crewe in June 2012. Powell, then just 18, scored 16 goals the season before to inspire Crewe to victory in the League Two play-offs.
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"He is an exceptional talent and has been schooled well at Crewe," said Ferguson after getting the deal done. Powell left United fans very excited on his debut in September 2012 after scoring a fabulous goal in a 4-0 victory against Wigan at Old Trafford.
Nick Powell failed to live up to his billing at Manchester United after being signed by Sir Alex Ferguson (Getty Images)Yet things soon turned sour after that. Powell angered Ferguson by conducting an interview with United's media team after that goal, as the player recalled in a chat with SportBible. "The next day, I walked past Sir Alex going for breakfast," said Powell.
"I'm smiling. I'm just buzzing that I scored. But he then turns around and goes, 'What the f**k are you doing an interview for?'
"I was like, 'Woah, woah woah. I didn't want to do it in the first place!' But he wasn’t having any of it. He said, 'You've not made it yet. I tell you when you can do things like that'. I've gone from buzzing to what the f*** is going on here."
In the end, Powell never made it at United. He played just nine first-team games during his four years at Old Trafford, spending most of that time out on loan. He played for Wigan during the 2013-14 season - making 41 outings - before spells at Leicester and Hull.
Powell later said he would "change everything" about his time at United, "especially my attitude towards it". He even once forgot to watch one of United's games because he was too busy playing FIFA, although he was on loan at Hull at the time.
Powell has still enjoyed a long career in professional football (Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)Do you remember Nick Powell at Manchester United? Let us know in the comments below!
Despite failing to make the grade at Old Trafford, Powell has enjoyed a long career. The former England youth international has made more than 350 club appearances before the age of 30, having played in the Premier League, Champions League and Europa League.
Powell has been named as Crewe's and Stoke's Player of the Year and won three promotions at three different clubs. He's on course to celebrate his fourth promotion this season with Stockport, as they sit two points clear at the top of League Two.
Powell dropped from Championship side Stoke into League Two last summer after being handed a three-year deal by Stockport, an offer too good to refuse. It's fair to say the Championship is probably his level, seeing as he's played 198 games in the division.
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Powell will hope to return to the Championship with his ambitious employers over the next few years. But on Monday night, he'll be watching Wigan's clash with United closely... unless he's too busy playing EAFC - the video game formerly known as FIFA.
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