Steve Wigley comes face-to-face with the club he supported as boy today hoping for an Arsenal re-run.

The Saints boss was born in Ashton under Lyne and spent his childhood years watching both Manchester United and Manchester City from the terraces.

He takes a side to Old Trafford for the first time as a Premiership boss this afternoon and wants a repeat of the team's performance against Arsenal at Highbury in October that earned them a well-earned point.

He said: "I was a Manchester United supporter when I was a boy.

"Over the years I've been to Maine Road and Old Trafford I couldn't even count how many times with my dad and my friends.

"To go back there today is something I'm looking forward to but once you come into professional football as a player you don't go as a fan anymore.

"That affection you have as a supporter tends to disappear."

He continued: "You've got to believe you can get something everywhere you go, and what a place the Theatre of Dreams is to play football.

"I'm sure everybody will be writing us off like they were pre-Arsenal so we'll approach it the same way.

"Like I said before the Arsenal game about the West Brom match there will be more pressure on them against Middlesbrough at home next week than at Old Trafford.

"But United comes first. They're a great side and have started to move up the league again and unfortunately we're catching them at a time when they're just starting to peak again."

Wigley believes that Saints can get a result but that they need to retain possession whenever they can to stand a chance.

However, he also feels that United are still well in the title race and will be up for the game.

"Manchester United have been written off so many years but they won't be far off at the end of the season - I'm sure of that," said Wigley.

"They had injury problems at the start of the season when everyone was writing them off, but look at the results since the likes of Rio came back. They've got strength in depth but you can't concern yourself about what the opposition have got.

"They have a threat from 1-16 because you look on the subs bench and even the goalkeepers start the attacks off.

"They're a quality side and we're fully aware of what their abilities are but you can't start worrying about their position. We have to prepare to do what we've got to do.

"All our players have got to play to their best. Everybody. There are certain places you go and certain teams you play that if two or three people have an off day you are very vulnerable."

Wigley added: "I think you do get a chance to play against them because they spread out and pass the ball, but what we have to make sure is that when we've got the ball we keep it.

"If you don't you might not see it for quite a while.

"You do have to concentrate - if players relax you can be on the wrong end of a bad result but I do believe it's hard against Crystal Palace at home when your supporters expect you to win."