A MANCHESTER UNITED loanee is looking to end rivals Liverpool’s stunning momentum when Accrington Stanley visit Anfield.
The Premier League high-flyers and Accrington face off on Saturday in the third round of the FA Cup.
And Sonny Aljofree – the son of United academy graduate Hasney – is expected to line up against the Reds from the start after joining Stanley on loan in August.
Sonny, 20, had a feeling he would be locking horns with Man Utd‘s biggest rivals before the draw and is relishing the incredible opportunity.
The centre-back, who trained with the first team last season despite never making a senior appearance, is set for a full circle moment.
Following the FA Cup draw, Hasney, 46, sent his son an old photo of him watching his dad’s former team Plymouth take on Liverpool from the Kop stands in the FA Cup third round back in 2017.
Sonny told Manchester Evening News: “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.
“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.”
United contacted Sonny after the draw and sent him a powerful message.
However, the Manchester giants also urged him to “take it in” and enjoy this incredible opportunity.
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”Man Utd fans say ‘call the game off’ as Ruben Amorim confirms major line-up decision for Arsenal FA Cup clash ” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6366913672112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]Sonny added: “[Man Utd told me] Just win.
“They’ve told me to [make] sure that I take it in and not just let it go by, so just as much as it is a massive experience and there’ll be nerves around it, just trying to take it in and appreciating the kind of magnitude of the game that I’m hopefully going to be involved in.”
Hasney will be one of 50 to 55 friends and family supporting Sonny on the biggest day of his career, which has seen him registering 16 appearances with Accrington across all competitions.
The former defender began his career at United before leaving the club without making an appearance.
The ex-England youth international went on to play for Bolton, Dundee United, Plymouth, Sheffield Wednesday, Oldham and Swindon Town.
He returned to the Red Devils as a youth coach before taking up a role as head of coach education and development in Singapore.
Sonny added: “My dad’s always been the one who’s been giving me advice throughout and his thoughts and you take that and do it because he’s been through it. He knows what I’m going through.
“I think there’s not that much advice you can give me against Liverpool, except making sure I’m doing all the right things leading up to the game, so I have no excuses when it comes to it.
“I think that’s what he’s always said to me no matter how you play, you just can’t have any regrets leading up to any game that you’re playing, so you’re leaving it all out there and making sure in your head you’re prepared and ready, doing all the right things leading up to it.”
Sonny joined United’s academy at a very young age but has yet to make a senior appearance with the club instead loaning him out to Altrincham before moving him to Accrington.