Salford City director of football Ryan Giggs expects the club to get a hostile reception at the Etihad this weekend given the owner's links to Manchester United.

But the Old Trafford legend has told the club's players to make the most of their evening in the spotlight, before returning to the grind of League Two and the ultimate target this season, which is promotion after five years in the fourth tier.

A run of six successive wins has catapulted the Ammies into the automatic promotion picture and Karl Robinson's side have a golden opportunity to seal a ticket to League One and bring momentum back to a club that reached the EFL in 2019 with a run of four promotions in five seasons.

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That run came in the first five years of the Class of 92 ownership, but the group consisting of Gary and Phil Neville, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt, Giggs and David Beckham have found life harder since entering League Two. Those links with United mean Salford will travel to the Etihad indelibly linked to City's fiercest rivals in the eyes of many fans, and Giggs is expecting a hostile reception.

"Yeah, that's natural," he told the Manchester Evening News. "But our concentration is performing well and just carrying on the form that we've shown. We all recognise it's a tough game and if City play well, it's going to be a tough day for the lads but they're excited and we're going into it off the back of six straight wins so we're in good form, all the players are excited and hoping that they're starting in the game."

This is Salford's first experience of the third round of the FA Cup, having twice been knocked out at the second round stage in the Class of 92's 10 years as owners, and the draw was kind in handing them an occasion they will never forget.

"I think when the draw was made, it was brilliant for the club. We're facing such a big club and what City have done in the last few years, and for the players playing at a Premier League stadium, it's exciting." said Giggs.

"And I think then you sort of park it, concentrate on the league, which we've done really well. We're going into the game in good form and obviously third in the table. We couldn't be going into the game in better form really."

That is one of the more impressive aspects of their fine results, which also included six successive clean sheets. While many EFL sides find their form faltering in the run-up to such a huge cup tie, Salford have done the opposite, hitting the accelerator at the perfect time.

"I think credit to Karl, Karl's handled the situation brilliantly," said Giggs. "I think he recognised, Karl's had experience of playing big teams in his career and he's made sure that it's exciting, great to look forward to, but first and foremost to concentrate on our league form and Karl and the players have done that brilliantly."

The Class of 92 have long stated that their ambition is to get Salford City into the Championship, and after stalling in League Two they are on course to move up the leagues again this season. Having got into such a strong position, Giggs insists the league is now the top priority, rather than Saturday's trip to the Etihad.

"Yeah, 100%. Making sure that we get in a position that we're ready to either go up automatically or be in the playoffs," he said. "Karl recognises that and we're in a good place at the moment, but also this league is really punishing.

"If you don't turn up on the day, you will get beat off anyone. So that's the priority, but this is obviously a nice sort of relief away from the pressures of League Two."

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