Karl Robinson has a very clear answer as to why he took the job as head coach of Salford City just over a year ago. But for someone who was brought up in Rainhill and is a huge Liverpool supporter, who still refers to the Reds as 'we', the answer might surprise some.

“It was the only probable factor, if not the only factor,” he says, referencing the Class of ‘92’s ownership of Salford.

The Class of ‘92 being former Manchester United players David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and Gary and Phil Neville. Five players who all helped the Old Trafford club remove the Reds off their perch during a dominant period between the late 90s and early 2000s.

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Robinson is currently preparing his side for the biggest game in Salford's history. An FA Cup third-round tie against Manchester City at Etihad on Saturday evening.

But when the inevitable question comes about what it is like being a Scouser who loves Liverpool working for a group of United legends, Robinson's enthusiasm for football shines through in his answer.

“I wondered how long it would take for someone to say that,” he replied, laughing. “[My mates] are a little bit two-faced, actually, because they all want tickets for the weekend.

“The M62 causes a few problems, doesn't it? I can’t say what I have been called by some of my mates; I wore a coat with 92 on it and got multiple texts from the lads having a dig at me.

“People who know me, I love football. I am addicted to it. I don’t like the industry as much, but I love the game.

“I think if you love the game, you respect the Class of ‘92, and I think that is even the case with Liverpool fans as well. There is a respect there.

“But equally when Liverpool are great, as great as what we are now, sorry, I just called Liverpool we, there is an element of respect when people love football and teams are good."

Economic historians will tell you that the rivalry between Liverpool and Manchester dates back to the 1890s, but some will argue that it actually started when United and the Reds faced each other for the first time at Old Trafford in February 1910.

The rivalry is still as strong as ever, and one that Robinson, working with a number of United supporters on a daily basis, cannot escape, especially after the Old Trafford club picked up an unexpected point at Anfield last weekend.

“There were a few people around here crying a Liverpool win in, then celebrating on Monday morning when they got a point,” he reveals.

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Saturday brings an opportunity to boost his club's profile as the Ammies make the five-mile journey to the home of Pep Guardiola's side.

But while Robinson’s men have won six matches in a row without conceding, the same cannot be said for City, who, by their own extraordinary standards, have struggled for large parts of this season.

And a chance meeting with the recently sacked Everton manager Sean Dyche on Boxing Night following the Blues’ 1-1 draw at the Etihad hammered home the size of the task facing his side.

“I bumped into Dychey that night [Boxing Night], and we were just chatting away, and he said they are still as good as ever, even though Everton had got a point,” he recalls.

“He said they had to be at their elite best, and there were moments in the game where they were starting to look like the team we all recognise.”

Robinson has now taken charge of over 700 games as a manager, but his coaching journey all started at his boyhood club back in 2000, and he credits the time he spent at The Academy as having a big influence on his career.

“I think going and working with some of the best, the likes of Trent [Alexander-Arnold], Ben Woodburn, who now plays here, and Conor Coady, people like that,” he says, reflecting on his time with the Reds.

“Then there are the likes of Ryan Kent, Harry Wilson and even Jesse Lingard, who was with us from a very young age at the academy.

“So knowing them and seeing their journeys, but now on 700 games, I never thought this is where I would get to. I think I have been incredibly lucky, and I don’t really see myself as a trailblazer. I just try to be more truthful to myself.

“By working hard and making sure you can do your best and you improve people, then people will follow you and want to play for you. I have been lucky, really lucky, but I am going to need to be more than lucky on Saturday.”