PAUL Ince was the guvnor' of Old Trafford as Chris Casper made his way into the first team as a youngster at Manchester United.

But the two will be on level terms tomorrow when they manage the Shakers and Macclesfield Town respectively in a battle of two struggling sides in League Two.

Macclesfield were a virtual lost hope when former United, Inter Milan and Liverpool star Ince rode into Cheshire amidst a wave of publicity in October.

But thanks to an injection of funds from the Moss Rose owners, Bashar and Amar Alkadhi, he was able to restructure the club's backroom staff and bring in some vital reinforcements to bring the Silkmen back from the edge of the abyss.

Casper has had no such luxury as he continues to help the Shakers punch above their financial weight - but will wish his former teammate all the luck in the world, after he leaves Gigg Lane.

A first win in 14 would give Bury a handy four-point cushion on their relegation rivals, and would leave Macclesfield looking anxiously over their shoulder at Torquay, Boston, Accrington and Wrexham.

But the Bury boss would like to see both sides escape the mire, and meet again next season.

"I have known Paul for a long, long time," Casper said. "He's a real character.

"Like me, he went into the job without any managerial experience, but he has got a great number two in Ray Matthias alongside him.

"It would be nice to think we can both get through all this and go on to get more experience, because that is what it is all about."

Both men were thrown into the managerial game at the proverbial deep end, but Casper said he expects both he and Ince will benefit from getting their hands dirty at the business end of English football.

"There is no better place than League Two to learn about management," said Casper, who takes charge of his 85th game for the Shakers. "You only need to look at the top managers in the game, they all learned their trade at a lower level.

"Sir Alex Ferguson started at St Mirren, and you benefit from being able to see both sides of it all."

Ince's predecessor Brian Horton was a hot tip to replace Graham Barrow when he left Gigg Lane in September 2005. Casper got the nod, but said he felt for the former Manchester City boss after he was axed by the Cheshire club earlier in the season.

"I think the team that Brian Horton had probably underachieved," Casper said. "I watched them a few times and it always seemed that their league position was a little bit false. Paul has come in and changed a few things, but the majority of the players are still the ones that Brian brought in."

The Shakers have no new injury worries ahead of the game, with young midfielder Dave Buchanan patched up after being carried off the field against Wrexham last weekend with a knee injury.

Tom Youngs fired a timely reminder to his manager with a goal for the Reserves in midweek, and could be in line for a place on the bench.