MALCOLM Crosby might have been Sunderland manager for just 13 months, but his hectic spell in control of the Black Cats means he and his family will be rolling back the years this weekend.

Despite his North-Eastern roots, Crosby wasn't the obvious choice to replace Denis Smith when he was sacked with Sunderland languishing in the lower reaches of the Second Division in December, 1991.

But, as first-team coach, Crosby had shown enough tactical awareness and nous to convince chairman Bob Murray to give him his first managerial role.

Five months later he had become only the second post-war Sunderland manager to lead his side to an FA Cup final.

Things soured quickly after that with Crosby leading the Black Cats to just four wins from their opening 16 games the following season.

He made way for Terry Butcher with Sunderland in almost exactly the same position in which he found them. But, in the period in between, he indulged in a red and white love affair that continues to burn strong.

Crosby will be at Peterborough today in his role as assistant manager of Second Division promotion hopefuls Swindon Town.

But his attention will be focused on Old Trafford tomorrow as he reverts to the status of an avid Sunderland fan.

"I'm still a supporter of the club through and through," said Crosby. "And I can't wait to be in front of the television tomorrow watching them with the family.

"I think I'm bad, but one of my lads is absolutely Sunderland daft. He really went through it with them last year and it's great to see the way he's been looking forward to the game this week.

"I still keep in regular touch with Kevin Ball up at the club, and my lad makes sure I'm bang up to date with everything that's happening with Sunderland.

"I'm sure if they get through to the final I'll have someone putting a lot of pressure on me to come up with some tickets.

"It would be a great position to be in though and I'd love to see them beat Millwall. But it's not going to be easy."

Crosby knows all about tricky semi-finals after leading Sunderland to victory over top-flight Norwich at Hillsborough in 1992.

John Byrne scored the only goal of the game to continue his record of scoring in every round of the competition, but the Black Cats were forced to withstand a fierce Norwich onslaught in the latter stages of the game.

Crosby remembers the fervent support of the Sunderland fans as full-time approached, and is confident the club's supporters can play an equally significant role at Old Trafford tomorrow.

"My abiding memory of the semi-final is the volume of noise that was coming out of the Sunderland end," said Crosby. "Especially in the second half.

"Our fans were on the Kop at Hillsborough and I remember looking towards the Norwich fans at the other end and it seemed like they were hardly making a sound.

"I know the lads took a lot from that support. Tomorrow's game looks like being just as tight and the players in the Sunderland team tomorrow will get the same sort of boost from the support that they're going to get.

"I remember the queues at Roker Park as people were trying to get tickets for both the semi-final and the final. We were really struggling in the League, but the fans were still desperate to get behind us and show their support for the club.

"I think that's what's probably kept things going after everything that's happened up there in the last couple of years, to be honest."

Sunderland were on the brink of relegation as Crosby led them to the FA Cup final and, while Mick McCarthy's mind is focused on the top of the table, the former boss can sympathise with what the current manager is going through.

With crucial Easter games against Sheffield United and Ipswich coming up next weekend, Sunderland will have little time to dwell on events at Old Trafford whatever happens tomorrow.

A win would mean further distraction between now and the end of the season - but it would also generate a feelgood factor that could take the Black Cats back into the Premiership.

"It can work in different ways but I think our cup success helped us out in the end," said Crosby.

"Promotion is obviously the priority for Sunderland this season, and Mick's always said as much.

"He's done a terrific job and the team seem to have retained their focus throughout everything that's happened in the cup run.

"He's turned things round in amazing fashion. The team spirit seems to be excellent and they're hitting form at exactly the right time in the season. Mick will want to take them up - but I'm sure he'd love to get to the cup final as well."