McManus fit for Vics' visit as Reds eye third spot

FC United expect to have a virtually full strength squad for the visit of Northwich Victoria on Saturday with the Reds aiming to move into third place.

If third placed Buxton drop points at home to second placed Colwyn Bay and fourth placed North Ferriby fail to take all three points at Nantwich, if FC United beat the Vics they will move into third place – finishing there would ensure home advantage in the play-off semi-finals.

Young midfielder Matthew Tierney will be unavailable due to the reoccurrence of an ankle injury whilst playing with the youth team but the good news is that centre-back Scott McManus has shaken off a knock which saw him limp out of the Reds’ last minute victory over Worksop last weekend.

Assistant manager Roy Soule knows that finishing in the top two or three could prove to be vital for United. He said: “If we qualify for the play-offs obviously getting home advantage would be a big plus. We like to play football and being able to play on a good pitch allows us to do that.

“But having said that, wherever we play we’ll adapt to the conditions. A few months ago I think a lot of teams thought FC United had a soft centre and that we couldn’t cope with the more physical side of the game. In the last few weeks I think we’ve well and truly put that to bed and we’ll continue doing that if we have to.???

FC United versus Northwich Victoria is this Saturday at Gigg Lane with kick-off at three o’clock and as always it’s pay on the gate. Get yourself to that football ground.