He was known around United - that’s Manchester United if you don’t mind - as the small kid with a wizard-like left foot and a mainstay in a side of young sensations Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingaard.
Now, 23-year-old Luke Giverin is raring to go as Manly United prepare for an away trip to league rivals Bonnyrigg White Eagles in the Westfield FFA Cup Round of 32.
For Giverin, a Red Devils player from the age of seven, it was tough getting a chance at such a global giant.
After a season with Salford City FC in the English National League North, the FFA Cup has been a competition he has been gearing up for since touching down in Sydney at the turn of the year.
“When I first arrived at the start of the year, I didn’t really know much about the cup.
“I asked a few coaches around the club about it and they filled me in. Drawing on my cup experience from back home, I’ve been really looking forward to the games all season and knowing that it is down to the business end of it all makes me even more excited,” he told www.theffacup.com.au
An FA Youth Cup winner in 2011 with Manchester United, Luke is no stranger to the pressures and intensity of a cup match and will look to add his same cool, calm approach.
“I love these games. I did it countless time with Manchester United in 2011. We had to overcome some great sides full of current Premier League players, in front of crowds close to 25,000.
“We’ve had a great season so far and a cup run would add to that. Playing at home is always special, but to grab a win away from home, in my experience can really set a strong platform for the rest of the season,” he said.
For Manly currently, they are one of the form sides in the PS4 NPL NSW 1 and on the back of another win on the weekend (4-1 over the Tigers) take on a Bonnyrigg outfit with whom they drew 3-3 against only a few weeks back.
“There are a lot of great sides here in Australia. I think that was one of the most pleasing things for me when I first arrived in the country and Bonnyrigg are no exception.
“In saying that, I’m confident that if we go out and play the way we have been over the last three months it doesn’t matter who we come up against, we’ll give ourselves every chance.
“The excitement around the club at the present time is what makes the cup so unique. Every club sets their sights on silverware at the start of the season and we are no different.
“We are really excited at the prospect of going deep into the knockout stages and I know I’ll be giving my all next Wednesday to make that happen.”
Tune in to Fox Sports to find out.
