The last opposition player to achieve such a feat at Old Trafford was legendary Brazilian Ronaldo, who scored all Real Madrid's goals in an amazing 4-3 Champions League defeat four years ago and exited to a standing ovation.

Mifsud came agonisingly close to emulating Ronaldo. Not only did he score both goals in Coventry's astounding 2-0 win, he also hit the post with an audacious first-half back-flick, then blasted wide of an open goal when Tomasz Kuszczak spilled a late free-kick into his path.

So, while the 26-year-old Malta international, nicknamed 'mosquito', was happy to accept the plaudits, there was just a small element of what might have been.

"Missing out on the hat-trick is my one regret," he said.

"I would really have liked to score the one at the end and at the time, the one which hit the post didn't seem to matter to much.

"But I can't complain really. Scoring twice against Manchester United has to represent the biggest night of my career. It was truly awesome."

Mifsud's achievement was more remarkable given he has not started a Championship game for Coventry this term.

Although he has only just recovered from a rib complaint, the former Lillestrom star, Mickey Adams' last signing as Sky Blues boss before his exit in February, has been desperate to get involved, particularly as he scored twice in the previous round against Carlisle.

Yet, he is also aware that while the vast majority of his fellow countrymen will be delighted at his achievement, Malta boasts such a huge United following, there will be some sense of sadness at the fall of Sir Alex Ferguson's side.

"There are a lot of Manchester United fans in Malta, many of my friends support United," said Mifsud.

"But I still think people will be happy for me. On balance, most would want me to do well personally above what United might achieve.

"I do know the game attracted a massive amount of interest back home. Everybody seemed to be watching it on TV and maybe, if you look at it, it was probably the biggest achievement by a player from Malta in the whole of English football."

Mifsud rejects the theory Ferguson made it easy for Coventry by fielding such an under-strength side.

Yet, even with a completely different starting line-up to the one that disposed of Chelsea, Mifsud feels United had enough class to do better than they did. And he prefers instead to follow Dowie's lead and hail the magnificent fighting spirit of his own side.

"We knew it was going to be a hard game," he said.

"It doesn't matter who plays for Manchester United, they are all big stars.

"But we believed in ourselves, we got the first goal and our confidence grew from that.

"Everyone played with heart. The manager had a system in mind and we all stuck to it.

"Now we have to take that form into our league programme, starting with Charlton on Saturday. That is huge for us now."