D’MANI MELLOR had a taste of the big time at Manchester United — and now wants to pull off one of the greatest ever FA Cup shocks.
Macclesfield, who play in the sixth tier of the non-league pyramid, are at home to holders Crystal Palace in Saturday’s televised third-round clash.
For Silkmen striker Mellor, 25, it is an opportunity to put himself in the shop window as he rebuilds his career after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament knee injury which kept him out for a year before he left Old Trafford.
Mellor, who had two years at Wycombe after leaving the Red Devils, still dreams of getting back to the top level.
He said: “Every game I play is a big one because you never know who is watching and it is an opportunity to shine. This game, however, is special for the club and every player.
“It is a massive opportunity as it is live on TV and a day which will live with us forever.
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“There are always upsets in the FA Cup and hopefully it can be us. The boys cannot wait to put on a show against the holders.
“The pressure is on Palace and, though it is a free hit for us, we want to win and make history for the club.
“It will be tough as they are a Premier League team. Their players will be cleverer, quicker and sharper and you can’t outrun them as they will be fitter.
“But football is a mad game, and you have to try and find a way to win. Any little mistake . . . you may only need one opportunity.”
Mellor says the Silkmen’s team spirit is great after winning their third promotion in four seasons since forming in 2020 whenMacclesfield Town went bust.
Last term they were crowned Northern Premier League, Premier Division champions when Robbie Savage was manager.
Mellor said: “We went up with a record points total for the league and smashed many other records. We had an amazing season and there were moments which will live with me forever.
“They helped create a special bond among the players. Most of them stayed and it is a special team and has so much potential to do so many other things.”
Savage left in the summer for Forest Green Rovers and Wayne Rooney’s younger brother John quit playing to manage the team.
Mellor said: “He is in a new role and we all want to do well for him because of the way he has helped us.”
This is Macc’s sixth tie this term since their journey began in September.
Mellor said: “It has been hard for us as we have had to play so many more games than other teams. It makes it more special as we won games when we have been behind and fought back which has led to this moment.”
He has been impressed with the standard of non-league since joining the club at the start of last season.
He said: “It is looked at as not being a good standard, but it has improved and, in our division, we come up against quite a few full-time teams.
“There are many talented players in these leagues who go on to make headlines, as you saw with Jamie Vardy and more recently with Antoine Semenyo [who played at Bath City].”
Mellor joined United aged eight and played at every level, with the highlight his first-team debut as a sub in a Europa League tie at Astana in Kazakhstan.
Playing with famous Man Utd graduates
He said: “That was one of the best moments of my life. It wassurreal waiting to come on.
“I was a United fan as a kid which made it even more special and one of those moments I will always cherish.”
Mellor’s United youth team included Mason Greenwood, Angel Gomes and James Garner.
He said: “I had the pleasure of sharing a pitch with them which was scary.”
Outside football, Mellor runs a successful podcast ‘More Than a Match’ with football coach Ryan Hopper.
He added: “I can share my experiences about dealing with things like injuries, loans when you move away from home at a young age and coming into big money too early.”