As Manchester City visits League One team Leyton Orient on Saturday afternoon, it holds special significance for Orient’s manager Richie Wellens. The 44-year-old has been a devoted fan of City’s rival, Manchester United, and continues to hold a season ticket at Old Trafford. He graduated from United’s academy and played for the team once before embarking on a 17-year journey with various clubs in the Football League. Following his playing career, he moved into management, successfully leading both Orient and Swindon to promotions from League Two and securing the EFL Trophy with Salford City. Currently, Orient is performing exceptionally well in League One and holds a position in the play-off spots. After eliminating Championship team Derby County in the third round, they now set their sights on City. Wellens is not only eager to host the Premier League champions at Brisbane Road but is also looking forward to the challenge of competing against Pep Guardiola, who he acknowledges has brought him some discomfort over the years as a fan of United. “We’re really looking forward to it,” Wellens expressed regarding the upcoming match against City. “This is great exposure for the club, and we have a number of young, talented players who have developed significantly this season, so it’s a fantastic opportunity for them to test themselves against some of the world’s top players. Our focus is on putting on a good performance and staying competitive throughout the game.” City is an excellent football team, yet they currently have some weaknesses. Is it possible for us to reveal their actions to the fullest extent? “Looking back, this club was on the brink of bankruptcy six or seven years ago, so being where we are in the league now and preparing to face what is arguably the best team in Premier League history is a significant reflection of the club’s progress. Our analysts have been very engaged this week, reviewing footage of PSG, Arsenal, and Liverpool.” We noticed a few weaknesses, but they are competing against very high-caliber teams. The issue is whether we can take advantage of them from a distance. “I must admit, Pep has brought me and my sons a lot of grief in the past because of their excellence. However, they truly represent the crème de la crème.”
