Manchester United v Fulham
FA Cup Sixth Round
Saturday 06 March 2004

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"I started at Fulham when I was 11 but once you play for Man United, there is always a special bond there," he explains.

The former Fulham defender joined Manchester United a year after helping England reach the World Cup semi-finals at Italia 90. He won the League and Cup double with the Old Trafford club in 1994 and after retiring prematurely because of injury, he is now trying to make his mark in management at Welling United in the Dr Martens League.

Then…What do you remember of the 1994 FA Cup Final against Chelsea?

It was a nerve-wracking game because Manchester United had never won the 'Double' before.

Having said that, when I looked around the dressing-room that season and saw Eric Cantona, Paul Ince, Steve Bruce, Mark Hughes and others, you tended to feel quite confident!

I remember Chelsea had Gavin Peacock and Mark Stein up front but we won the match 4-0 and went down in history.

Now... Fulham have a good record against United this season. Will that have an effect on Saturday?

I don’t think so – this will be a totally different game. United are a little bit wounded at the moment and last week’s draw at Loftus Road won’t have helped. But you always have to be careful of wounded animals and it wouldn’t be a surprise if they bounced back straight away.

Then... A lot of people think you were a United player at Italia '90, but you weren't...

That’s right. I was a QPR player but I was helped by the fact that Bobby Robson’s assistant with England Don Howe was my club manager. So I knew the England manager was up-to-date with my form.

I joined United a year after the World Cup in Italy, which was obviously a great experience. I’ve still got Roberto Baggio’s shirt in a box somewhere – we swapped after the third-place play-off.

Now... How do you see the England right-back situation?

The two I see challenging to be the best are Gary Neville and Glen Johnson. Gary is a very good defender and he’s got more Champions League and international experience than anyone.

Glen is more comfortable on the ball, sometimes he doesn’t resemble a full-back at all. He is great going forward and will learn in time about defending and the temperament you need on the big stage.

I have seen him caught out for the England Under-21s but he’s only young and in time he could challenge Gary for the No.2 jersey.

Then... You must also have a soft spot for Fulham because of your past association?

Of course. I was 11 years old when I joined them and stayed for 12 years. But if you ask me who I want to win in The FA Cup on Saturday, I will have to say United because of what I achieved there.

They are one of those clubs that, once you play for them, you tend to feel a special affinity. I still go up to all their European games and do work for MUTV.

Now... Are you surprised at how well Fulham are doing this season?

Listen, it’s an incredible achievement but sometimes you have to wonder if they’ve gone a bit too far and if they might have to drop back a bit. I saw them in October and they were a workmanlike side rather than spectacular.

Steed Malbranque is impressive and so was Louis Saha. He has already proved he’s got what it takes to succeed at United in the short time he has been there.

Then... When did you get the feeling in '94 that you might go on to win The FA Cup?

You daren’t look too far ahead but when you reach the quarters and semis you do start to think of a medal at the end of it. If you get into a semi-final, there is a belief you aren’t going to lose. But Oldham nearly beat us in 1994. Mark Hughes equalised in the last seconds at Wembley and we managed to beat them easily in the replay.

Now.. Modern full-backs are different to those in your day...

Ashley Cole and Wayne Bridge are converted wingers. It’s the fashion to mainly have full-backs who are good footballers and get forward.

My strength was always defending. If I got criticism, it was that I didn’t get forward enough.

But my attitude was that I defended first and foremost and if I did anything else it was a bonus.

Then... Has the Alex Ferguson 'hairdryer' influenced your managerial career?

I’m too small to be a ‘hairdryer’! In actual fact, I think only one or two managers can get away with that style. I might shout at one or two individuals but I wouldn’t do that collectively. I don’t think I would get a lot back if I ranted and raved at all of them.

Now... Does it surprise you that an ex-England World Cup star is managing Welling in the Dr Martens League?

Not really. Ask Martin O’Neill about managing Wycombe in the Conference. He will tell you it hasn’t done his career much harm.

People think if you’re an international, all you have to do is read a few books, do a few coaching courses and you will get a top job. It doesn’t work like that.

Management is a serious venture for me – when Fulham play United this weekend, we have a home match against Cambridge City. The League is being restructured next season and our aim is to get into the Conference Second Division. Welling is a small club but they have been in the main Conference before and we’ll try to do it again.