Two things you might want to know if Glenn Murray scores against the team he supported as a boy on Friday.

Especially if he celebrates in what might be termed Cantona-esque style.

You know, that one where he stands still, pins his shoulders back and looks around like the cat who got the cream.

Firstly, a goal for the Albion No.17 against Manchester United would see him emulate another Albion favourite of his generation, Peter Ward, especially if it earned three points.

And, secondly, that celebration, should it be given an airing, is not what it might seem.

Murray says he learnt to love football as a kid at Old Trafford, making the trip south from his home in Cumbria.

He has scored against them at the theatre of dreams for Crystal Palace in a cup tie but a first Premier League strike against the Red Devils would be special.

Murray told The Argus: “As a kid growing up, United were my team.

“I’ve been to a couple of European Cup finals to watch them – in Barcelona and Rome.

“My uncle was a season-ticket holder there and I had some great afternoons out at Old Trafford. I suppose it’s where I fell in love with football.”

There was one idol in particular who made an impression.

“Eric Cantona – it was just his mystique, his aura, his ability, just everything about him.

“He was a very special player.

“It was when I was 11, 12 years old so growing up when you look up to everyone in the Premier League and footballers in general.”

These days kids look up to Murray as the joint-ninth top scorer in the Premier League and behind only Jamie Vardy among teams outside the top six.

The Argus:

That much was obvious this week as, along with Albion Women’s striker Ini Umotong, he cut the tape to officially open a state-of-the-art artificial pitch at the Sir Robert Woodard Academy in Lancing which has been paid for by the club.

He was surrounded by kids roughly the age he was when he went to Old Trafford on a Saturday – and hoped rain wouldn’t wash out his games lessons in the week.

The youngsters who besieged him yesterday have a nice pitch to play on and a Premier League club on their doorsteps.

On Friday, one of the world’s most famous clubs come to town with Albion fans looking back to how their side beat Arsenal two months ago to the day for inspiration.

That 2-1 win over the Gunners has been mentioned a lot as Albion prepare to host another top-six side, as it was before the recent Spurs game.

The two first-half goals, the second-half tension, the sight of Chris Hughton beside himself when his team failed to keep the ball in the corner and then the loudest roar yet at the Amex when the final whistle went seconds later.

Post-match singing of Sussex By The Sea and the chants of “We are staying up”.

Then, on a personal point of view, the evening spent racing against deadlines to produce a newspaper worthy of the occasion – and knowing all copies sell out the following day.

Others will have their own personal memories of what appears to have been the outstanding day of this first Premier League season at the Amex – unless something better comes along.

But Murray does not quite see it the same way.

Asked whether that was the day which set the standard, he said: “I think that was a good day for us but I think we have had better days and more important days in the Premier League.

“Everyone looks towards that one because it’s the first top-six team we’ve beaten in the Premier League.

“But you know what? It’s only three points.

“So is Swansea away and West Ham home and away and things like that.

“They are all just as important as each other.”

So what was Murray’s highlight so far?

“Personally, I look back on the West Ham away game where I feel as though the squad grew in belief and felt as though we belonged in the Premier League for the first time. I think that was really when our season started to take off.”

Now for the final chapter at home as United come south.

Last time they were down this way in the league, they suffered what remains their only defeat to Albion.

That was in 1982-83 when Ward, a self-confessed United fanatic who will be at the game on Friday, got the late winner.

How fitting would a repeat of that be for the Cantona fan of old?

One thing we know is we can’t have a repeat of 1982-83, when Albion beat United at the Goldstone and still went down If Albion win this time – however big an if that might seem - they stay up. In a 20-team elite, not 22 as it was back then.

Would Murray bring out that staring celebration? You know? The Cantona one.

It is meant to be Cantona, isn’t it?

“No it’s not, actually,” Murray replied with a laugh.

“It’s just something that takes my fancy if we get one of those moments.”

A magical moment, maybe.