WYN Davies has a foot in both camps in any Manchester United versus Bolton Wanderers clash writes Peter Keeling

But when he says "we" he is talking about Wanderers as he looks forward to Wednesday's attempt by Big Sam's men to prove that lightning can strike twice in the same place against a team he reckons now is only fourth-ranked in the Premiership.

He admits: "We have always done well against United; but, even so, last season's game at Old Trafford had something special. One thing is certain, disregarding the result next Wednesday, it is not going to be the same kind of game for Gudni Bergsson and his colleagues.

"We were so much the outsiders 12 months ago that we were just carried along by the atmosphere and the crowd, and it inspired us to play like 22 men. The attitude and desire to do well was such that we played above ourselves against the best team at the time in England, and Sir Alex's boys just could not cope.

"For them it must have been like rowing against a tidal wave. Now it has got to be purely on football rather than emotion if we are to succeed. And the game is going to be entirely different, although I'm not saying the result will be different."

He added: "What is important is that every indication I see about Manchester United this season is that they are not the team they were. They are not as exciting or authoritative as Arsenal, Chelsea or Liverpool now. Whereas in previous seasons United have been five times better than any other side, they currently must be rated no higher than fourth rankers in the league. I am certainly not impressed with Veron, while Roy Keane's antics seem to have sapped the concentration of the team.

"And with the Old Trafford supporters having adulated the great performances of Eric Cantona in past years, wouldn't it be wonderful if another Frenchman earned the headlines and this time our Youri Djorkaeff took centre stage in the theatre of dreams? One thing is certain, after his great career with France in World and European Cups, Youri will love the atmosphere of Old Trafford, and it will not be a problem to him playing on such a stage."

Wyn added: "Bolton teams, even going back to my time and long before that, have always risen to the big occasion. I am sure the players will have no different attitude than mine when ranged against Denis Law and Bobby Charlton, thinking that they were getting 10 times as much money as I was and that everybody was expecting them to beat us. There was only one answer to that: 'I'll show them'.

"It is not going to be easy, of course, and in fact it will be tougher than last year all along the line in the Premiership because our opponents now know more about our style.

"But United have not looked convincing to me this season but even so, as a supporter I will be happy if we perform well, regardless of the result."