Omonia Nicosia supervisor Neil Lennon says he's hoping to meet up with outdated pal Sir Alex Ferguson when his membership face Manchester United within the Europa League.
The two sides are set to sq. off at Previous Trafford on October 13, every week after they meet in Cyprus, in one of many greatest video games within the membership’s historical past as they give the impression of being to trigger a serious upset.
Regardless of the rivalry they usually shared on the pitch, Lennon and Ferguson proved good mates off it and have met up a number of occasions because the latter’s retirement in 2013.
Whereas Martin O’Neill and Gordon Strachan have been large influences on the Lurgan man, Lennon has described Ferguson as a “enormous supply of help” and he’s hopeful they'll discover time to catch up subsequent month.
“I’ve not had any messages but from Sir Alex,” he instructed the Scottish Solar.
“However I’m certain I’ll be in contact with him and get a glass of wine with him at some stage. It might be nice to see Sir Alex in Manchester.
“He’s been an enormous supply of help for me over time, and I'd like to meet up with him.
“Sir Alex as soon as visited me on the Celtic coaching floor for a few hours on a Sunday morning.
“It was simply sensible to speak soccer and life with him. For me and for my workers, it was manna from heaven. I picked up a variety of stuff from Sir Alex. Two hours with him is like 20 years with different individuals. He has at all times been constructive in the direction of me.
“Even after I left Celtic, he got here to see me at Bolton and over time we have now stayed in contact. Sir Alex went out of his technique to contact me.
“Even on days of Champions League video games he would give me recommendation concerning the opposition. He’s an unbelievable man.
“Sir Alex gained’t need us beating Manchester United. I feel if we bought a degree he can be glad, offering additionally they then qualify. It’s going to be superb to play United.”
Omonia haven't began their Europa League marketing campaign properly, dropping 3-0 to Sheriff at house earlier than following that up with a 2-1 loss to Actual Sociedad in Spain.
It means they want a results of some description towards United – possible in each video games – that will carry spirits across the GSP Stadium after a rocky begin to their home marketing campaign as properly.
Whereas going far in Europe is clearly the dream, successful the Cypriot First Division is Omonia’s main goal this season, however they're presently 4 factors off leaders Pafos after 4 video games.
However Lennon is hopeful that a few large performances towards a facet as large as United might be the spark his facet have to get again on observe of their League marketing campaign.
“Lots of the Cypriot boys are Manchester United supporters, or, no less than, followers of the Premier League,” revealed Lennon.
“So it is going to be an actual privilege for them — particularly to go and play at Previous Trafford. Manchester United are simply enormous in Cyprus.
“We’ve bought a bit of labor to do, there’s no query of that. The title is the precedence this season.”