Man United legends dreaming of another Salford City upset in the FA Cup second round

Gary Neville, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt watch the first round victory. Credit: PA

One month after dumping League Two Notts County out of the FA Cup, non-league Salford City will again hope to upset the odds when they host Hartlepool in round two.

The 1-0 victory over County was watched by 3.5 million people on BBC One, making it the most popular televised domestic fixture in England this season, with 900,000 more viewers than Man United v Liverpool.

Salford were promoted to English football's seventh tier as champions of the Northern Football League last season, but it's what's happening behind-the-scenes that has dominated column inches in recent weeks and months.

The huge level of exposure they are receiving is partly down to the former Man United players who have invested in the club, and tonight's fixture will again be screened live on BBC Two.

Along with businessman Peter Ling, who holds a 50% stake, Salford are now co-owned by Phil Neville, Gary Neville, Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs following a takeover in March 2014.

A BBC documentary chronicling their first season as co-owners was recently aired - and it shows a campaign that overall was a huge success.

With the aim of bringing Championship-level football to Salford within 15 years, the former Old Trafford stars have already clinched one promotion as champions and require another five in 14 years to achieve their ambitious goal.

They are poised to challenge for promotion again this season, as they sit third in the Northern Premier League after 19 matches, with three games in hand on the league leaders.

Salford's players celebrate their victory over Notts County. Credit: PA

But the possibility of climbing up another division will be put on hold when Salford's players walk out to face Hartlepool, the League Two side who are three divisions and currently 74 places higher in English football's pyramid system.

When asked ahead of the tie about the attention on Salford, co-manager Anthony Johnson said: "It is still really surreal and a bit crazy.

"It is not normal for us - we all work full-time, and I will be driving my wagon during the day and then come to training and people want to interview me, so it is very difficult to get your head around things.

"But if you are doing well and being successful, the likelihood is the more press and exposure you are going to get, so it is great to get it."

Salford co-manager Anthony Johnson is dreaming of another upset. Credit: PA

If they pull-off another shock this evening, in front of 1,400 spectators and a TV audience expected to surge beyond 3 million, Salford's dreams will grow into something even bigger.

A victory over Hartlepool would enter the club into Monday's FA Cup third round draw alongside all of England's Premier League clubs.

And who knows? We could be talking about a fairy tale cup tie between the Class of 92's Salford City and Man United come January 2016.