Lethal Mifsud savours 'special night' at Old Trafford

Michael Mifsud was the talk of a nation yesterday after inspiring Coventry City to a headline-grabbing 2-0 victory over football giants Manchester United in a League Cup third round match on Wednesday night.

Christened the 'buzzing mosquito' by Coventry's assistant manager Tim Flowers after his brace in the 2-0 victory over Carlisle United in the previous round of the League Cup, Mifsud cemented his reputation with another stunning double that dumped Manchester United out of the League Cup.

"This has to be ranked as one of the highlights of my career since I joined Coventry City in January," the 26-year-old Mifsud told The Times yesterday.

"It was not the first time that I played in front of such a big crowd but to score against Manchester United before 74,500 people at Old Trafford is extra special.

"Manchester United are one of the biggest names in world football and their players are worth tens of millions of pounds.

"United may not have fielded their best formation but they still had several top names in their line-up, the likes of John O'Shea, Nani, Anderson, Wes Brown and Michael Carrick."

Mifsud's pace, agility and dead-eyed finishing lit up Old Trafford on Wednesday, much to the delight of the 11,000 travelling fans, including a few flag-waving Maltese supporters, who had a night to remember in one of the most famous football arenas in the world.

The nippy Malta striker also came agonisingly close to becoming the first visiting player to notch a hat-trick at Old Trafford since Brazilian striker Ronaldo achieved that feat with Real Madrid in a Champions League match a few years back.

In the opening 45 minutes, Mifsud was unlucky when his audacious back-heeled effort bounced off the post and, in the second half, he guided the ball wide of Tomas Kuszczak, the United goalkeeper.

Given his lack of first-team opportunities in Coventry's opening matches in the Championship, Mifsud is hopeful that his decisive performance against United will persuade manager Iain Dowie that he's worthy of a regular place.

"I would like to think that the two goals I scored against United will boost my chances of starting more games for Coventry," Mifsud remarked.

"I always strive to give my 100 per cent, be it in training or during matches. Even when I enter the fray as a late substitute, I still do my best to make an impact.

"At this level, there's a great competition for first-team places but I am adamant to make the most of the opportunities that come along."

Mifsud and the rest of the Coventry City squad will now switch their focus on tomorrow's league match against Charlton Athletic as the Sky Blues seek to start climbing up the Championship table after some negative results of late.

Further down the line, the former Lillestroem striker, dubbed "the Maltese Messi" in a report in yesterday's issue of La Gazzetta dello Sport, will link up with his international team-mates for Malta's Euro 2008 double header away to Hungary on October 13 and at home to Moldova four days later.

His exploits abroad and his often scintillating performances for the national side have turned Mifsud into something of a football icon locally.

While reiterating his commitment to the national team, Mifsud expressed hope that his rising popularity will open new horizons for up-and-coming Maltese players.

"I have always represented my country with great pride," Mifsud said.

"I also wish that my performances here will create new opportunities for other Maltese players."

Dowie praise

Meanwhile, Dowie, the Coventry manager, lauded Mifsud's contribution on Wednesday, adding that the striker is improving key aspects of his game.

"Michael can be a real pest around the box," said Dowie, referring to the former Lillestroem player's strange nickname.

"At times he is almost too quick but he is getting calmer all the time and his finishing is improving too."

Dowie also believes that Mifsud can be very effective coming in from the left side of midfield.

"I think that role cutting inside from the left suits Michael very well," Dowie said.