Shay Given was picking up tickets at reception for Manchester City's clash against United in April when he was unexepctedly grabbed by someone behind him.
'I turned around and it was the chairman Khaldoon (al Mubarak),' he smiles. 'He's a busy man and had all these people around him for derby day but he chatted to me and my son for about 10 minues, saying he'd love to have me involved back at the club. I think he was dead genuine.'
Given's career is strongly associated with Newcastle and the Republic of Ireland but City is his local Premier League team now.