Tyson Fury was in the FA Cup spirit on Sunday as the British heavyweight superstar was in attendance at Old Trafford, offering some advice for Erik ten Hag’s side and posing for a picture with legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson before kick-off.
The Gypsy King is building up to what is set to be a titanic heavyweight unification fight in May up against Oleksandr Usyk in order to produce the first undisputed champion in the division since Lennox Lewis.
A lifetime Manchester United fan, Fury was in attendance at Old Trafford ahead of kick-off between the two North West rivals to offer his own bit of advice for Ten Hag’s side, who come into the clash as heavy underdogs.
‘In my opinion, Liverpool vs Manchester United is the most looked-forward to match of the season. Hopefully United can turn the clock back and smash them.’
But when asked how they should go about doing that, Fury looked to a technique that he claims has served him well in his own career as an unbeaten 35-fight heavyweight champion.
‘Just go out there and attack, put pressure on them, put your best foot forward and get stuck right in.
‘That usually works – it’s worked for me anyway 35 times in a row so, that’s a good tactic!’
United seemed to have heard what the Gypsy King had to say, racing into a 1-0 lead via Scott McTominay in the 10th minute of the game, though Liverpool struck through Alexis Mac Allister and Mo Salah to lead before the break.
It was an eventful afternoon for the heavyweight star, who was also in esteemed company with a number of legends from both United and Liverpool.
He took to Instagram to share a snap with Ferguson, the pair posing for the camera, and Fury simply captioned the post: ‘Legendary Sir Alex.’
The 35-year-old is building up to his clash with Usyk on May 18, and has taken to social media as he begins his pre-fight camp to send a message to the Ukraine as well as his millions of followers.
Fury has been chomping at the bit since the fight was postponed from its original date of February 17 after he suffered a nasty cut above his eye in training.
‘So today, it’s our nine-week anniversary until Usyk gets f***ing battered,’ Fury said in an Instagram video on March 16, trailed by fellow runners.
‘And we’re out on the front this morning, little team of us, and we’re going to jog about, I don’t know, eight, nine, ten miles.
‘Might even do a half-marathon today, who knows?
‘But the one thing I do know is it’s absolutely fantastic weather, nice and fresh, on the bay.
‘Come on!’
Fury and Usyk’s fight will be a historic moment for boxing and the crown jewel in Saudi Arabia’s growing boxing influence.
They will finally meet in the ring as part of Riyadh Season in Saudi Arabia to crown the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the four-belt era.
