BURY fans began the most exciting and expensive week of the season today. Around 600 Shakers supporters were among an anticipated 40,000 crowd at Sunderland today, paying £17 a head, and no doubt with one eye on next Wednesday's Worthington Cup third round tie at Manchester United.

The dream Old Trafford tie will be watched by 50,000, including 8,900 Bury followers all paying £20.

Shakers boss Neil Warnock says: "Everybody realises it will be our hardest week ever.

"They are two of the best stadiums in the country, in Man Utd you have the best team in the country and I am sure Sunderland will be in the Premiership at the end of the season.

"We mustn't go into the United game apprehensive, we must enjoy it. We need to be professional. I don't want us to get slaughtered.

"I know the fans will be magnificent. To take 9,000 to Old Trafford will be amazing. It is a credit to the club that we can go to places like this and that's why it is so important to hold on to First Division status, because it sure beats going to some of the Second and Third Division grounds."

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