Not many players from Malta have played in England and even less have scored two goals at Old Trafford to knock Manchester United out of a cup.
The Maltese Sports Person of the Year in 2001 and 2003 Michael Mifsud is 33 today and he managed to do this in 2007 in the third round of the League Cup. This would have been a great moment for him as in 1999 he had a trial at Manchester United while a player at Sliema Wanderers but he was not offered a permanent deal and continued to be one of the hottest properties ever in Maltese football. He scored 60 goals in 80 league games for his first club which led to German club Kaiserslautern taking a chance on him.
He was a regular for their ‘B’ side and continued his good goal scoring record which meant he was given a few opportunities in the first team however after only two goals in 21 games, the player felt he needed to be playing more football and left the club to rejoin Sliema. In just 12 games he scored eight times and helped the club win the league title.
Once again he was on the move and this time it was to Norwegian side Lillestrom. He proved his quality at the club in a higher quality league and was voted as the best foreigner in the league after 11 goals in 19 games. Although they did not want him to leave he would not extend his contract and joined Coventry City.
Unfortunately for him the manager that signed him, Micky Adams, was sacked two days later. This could have stopped him fulfilling his potential but he proved he was good enough for a place in the side and scored his first goal after coming on as a substitute against Plymouth Argyle. Before the end of the season he scored another three goals including the goal of the season against Sheffield Wednesday.
It was in the next season that he produced his best football including his performance at Old Trafford. Manager at the time Iain Dowie said: “He buzzes around and he can be a real pest, but he is so quick, that he can be too quick for himself. That can be a problem but we have worked on his finishing and this will have done him good.”
He continued to excel and had 15 goals by the time he was about to face Premier League opposition again. This time it was Blackburn Rovers and he repeated what he did against Alex Ferguson’s men. Them two goals made him the Player of the Round. In the following months and season his goals slowed because he was now playing as a winger but was still a threat.
Before leaving Coventry he had a loan spell at Barnsley where he scored two goals in 15 games. This is when his career hit a wall and he was looking for clubs, eventually ending up back in Malta with Valletta where he continued where he left off in the country, scoring goals for fun.
Although he clearly loves it in Malta he is too good for that league and wanted to move back abroad. His next career move was to Australian club Melbourne Heart but he has just been released by the club. But the last word can go to his head coach there John Aloisi: “Michael has scored goals at whatever level he has played at. He is an exciting footballer and will be a dynamic influence in our attack. He has played against the very best teams and held his own.”
Footballers on this day 