I’m a Man Utd star following the footsteps of my dad and aiming to shock Liverpool in biggest game of my career so far
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.”
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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.
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.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe's first year at Man Utd
SIR JIM RATCLIFFE’S minority takeover at Manchester United was announced on Christmas Eve in 2023 – and a lot has happened at Old Trafford since…
December 2023 – Man Utd confirm Ratcliffe’s takeover on Christmas Eve, vowing to invest £245m into Old Trafford
January 2024 – Ratcliffe and right-hand man Sir Dave Brailsford photographed meeting Erik ten Hag during tour of Carrington
January 2024 – Omar Berrada poached from Man City as new CEO
February 2024 – Ratcliffe’s £1billion, 27.7 per cent takeover officially completed
February 2024 – Former CEO Richard Arnold quits board as Ineos pair John Rees and Rob Nevin added
March 2024 – Ratcliffe bans words “awesome” and “lukewarm cappuccino” in bizarre move
March 2024 – Matt Johnson appointed head of women’s football
March 2024 – Ratcliffe announces plans to build “Wembley of the North” to replace Old Trafford
March 2024 – Man Utd NYSE share price drops to $13.73 on March 21 – down from $20.52 immediately after Ratcliffe takeover in December
April 2024 – Senior staff club credit cards and private cars cancelled
April 2024 – John Murtough quits as football director
April 2024 – Jason Wilcox appointed technical director after compensation package agreed with Southampton
May 2024 – Ratcliffe turns Carrington “toxic” after sending email to employees slamming “disgraceful” lack of cleanliness
May 2024 – Work finally starts on leaking Old Trafford roof
May 2024 – Man Utd finish eighth in Premier League, worst-ever finish
May 2024 – Ratcliffe gives employees just one week to decide if they want to accept redundancy
May 2024 – Staff forced to pay for own transport to FA Cup final and only given one ticket
May 2024 – Pre-match party and hotel for senior staff before FA Cup final axed
May 2024 – Man Utd shock rivals Man City to win FA Cup despite suggestions Erik ten Hag will be sacked regardless of result
June 2024 – Man Utd announce £50m plans to upgrade Carrington training ground
June 2024 – Ratcliffe introduces strict “back to work” policy forcing staff to come into office
June 2024 – Ratcliffe scores own goal with comments about women’s team
July 2024 – Man Utd finally agree deal to bring in Dan Ashworth as sporting director after four months of gardening leave at Newcastle, who received £3m in compensation
July 2024 – Erik ten Hag signs shock new contract extension until 2026
July 2024 – Ruud van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake appointed assistant managers, Andreas Georgson first-team coach and Jelle ten Rouwelaar goalkeeper coach. Darren Fletcher’s role changes from technical director to first-team coach. Steve McClaren, Mitchell van der Gaag and Benni McCarthy depart.
July 2024 – Ex-Chelsea technical director Christopher Vivell joins on short-term basis as interim director of recruitment
July 2024 – Jean-Claude Blanc added to Man Utd board
July 2024 – Man Utd cut down number of staff on US pre-season tour to 125
July 2024 – Ratcliffe makes 250 redundancies including popular media man John Allen, historian Cliff Butler and kitman Alex Wylie
August 2024 – Man Utd splash out £199m in the summer transfer window
August 2024 – Matchday staff lunchboxes scrapped and some forced to eat beside toilet
October 2024 – Man Utd stop paying £2m-a-year ambassador salary to Sir Alex Ferguson
October 2024 – Staff Christmas party cancelled
October 2024 – “Back to work” policy costing Utd fortune to convert hospitality suites into temporary offices between home matches
October 2024 – Erik ten Hag sacked with club 14th in Premier League table, costing club £15m
November 2024 – Ruben Amorim appointed new Man Utd manager on deal until 2027 after stumping up £10m release clause
November 2024 – Coach Ruud van Nistelrooy axed by new manager Ruben Amorim
November 2024 – Man Utd chiefs locked in blame game over summer shambles including Erik ten Hag situation and transfer signings
November 2024 – Ratcliffe reportedly set to half £40,000 budget paid to Manchester United Disabled Supporters Association
December 2024 – Ratcliffe admits “mediocre” Man Utd “still in last century”
December 2024 – Fans protest after OAP and children concessions tickets ditched and minimum home ticket cost up to £66
December 2024 – Dan Ashworth sacked after five months as sporting director
December 2024 – £100 staff Christmas bonus ditched for £40 M&S voucher
December 2024 – Ceiling starts leaking during Ruben Amorim’s press conference after 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth
December 2024 – Reports of a mice infestation at Old Trafford as rodent droppings found in food kiosks and plush suites as food hygiene ratings drops to just two stars
December 2024 – SunSport reveals Ratcliffe cuts £40,000 funding donation to Association of Former Manchester United Players charity