Exclusive: Former Hotshot Macken Has Divided Loyalties Ahead Of 195th Manchester Derby

Jon Macken was a Fergie Fledgling forced to fly the Old Trafford nest in search of first team action.

Macken spent nearly 10 years on United’s books, occasionally trained and played alongside the Class of 92 stars while Sir Alex Ferguson personally rang to offer him a YTS contract.

But leaving United for the Manchester raised striker wasn’t the wrench it might have been for some.

For one, Macken couldn’t force his way into the first team and desperately wanted senior football; Preston North End offering him that chance in 1997.

But he also grew up in a City supporting household, attending games at Maine Road with his dad.

So, there will be no divided loyalties when the 195th derby takes place on Sunday between two out of form rivals.

After all, Macken, now 47, has his own place in this historic fixture originally contested in November 1881.

Housewarming at the City of Manchester Stadium

Twenty years ago, the Blues beat the Reds 4-1 in the first Premier League derby ever staged at the Etihad Stadium, then known as the City of Manchester Stadium.

After Robbie Fowler opened the scoring, Macken-educated just a meaty defensive clearance away from FC United’s Broadhurst Park ground-grabbed a second goal before Trevor Sinclair and Shaun Wright-Phillips completed the rout.

Macken, currently manager of Northern Premier League play-off challengers, Stalybridge Celtic, doesn’t believe it will be as one-sided this time.

“Playing and scoring in a derby was everything I had dreamed about as a young boy coming from Manchester,” Macken, who had been a £5 million arrival from Deepdale where his career had flourished under David Moyes’ management, told SportsBoom.com. 

“I got the nod from Kevin (Keegan) that I was playing. You could feel the buzz and anticipation from the crowd for the first derby in the new stadium."

“We were excellent as a team on the day and thoroughly deserved the win.” 

Anything Can Happen

City won both Premier League meetings last season, outscoring United 6-1 only for United to turn the tables in the FA Cup final.

“It should be a good game,” added Macken. “Looking at it and trying to read between the lines, it is not going to be as easy as Manchester City have had it over the last couple of seasons."

“City’s form, at the minute, is not the best though you can say the same thing about United’s. So, it could be a really competitive game."

“When you look at derbies from many a year ago before United dominated and then City dominated, they were battles when anything could happen."

“They were the games a lot of people remember because of the competitiveness, the real desire to put in a performance and the crowd sat on the edge of the seats thinking: ‘We don’t know who is going to win today.’

“Have City still got a shot of the title? Yes, but it is going to be challenging because there are more teams in it than previous years."

Fond Times Thanks to Sir Alex

Despite his Blue leanings, Macken, who later played for Crystal Palace, Derby, Barnsley and Walsall, still looks back with fondness on his United days, signing on aged nine.

“My dad was a massive City fan but he was happy for me," said Macken. "He just wanted to see how far I could go with my career. At the time it was a dream come true."

“The highlighted ones that went on to have unbelievable careers at United were about three years older than me."

“But we were all around each other; the likes of the Nevilles, Beckham, Butt and Scholes. We played in certain games together and training situations."

“When I finished school and got my YTS, they had just stepped up to the first year of their profession al contracts."

“Sir Alex was the one who rang to tell me I was a getting a YTS. I remember walking in at home and he was already on the phone to my mum and dad."

Macken’s age group included Ronnie Wallwork- a fellow former England Under 20 international-and Phil Mulryne-now a priest-who played in the Premier League with Norwich. Wes Brown was a year below.

Unlike the trio, he never graduated beyond the reserves. “I decided to leave and try and further my career,” he confirmed.

“But it has worked out for me because I have had a long career in football.”