There are two people at Oxford United with a special reason for wanting to do well against Bury on Saturday.

One is the manager, Chris Wilder, who came to Oxford from Gigg Lane, where he was No 2 to boss Alan Knill.

And the other is ex-Manchester United youth team player Richie Baker, who played over 100 games for Bury and is now at the Kassam Stadium.

The Shakers have challenged for promotion from League Two in each of the past two seasons.

In 2008-9 they started April in second place, but had to make do with a fourth-placed finish, and lost to Shrewsbury in the play-offs.

Then last season they were in the automatic promotion places thro-ughout February and March, but slumped in the last six weeks, winning only two of their final 15 games, and ended in ninth.

“They’ve been in and around the play-offs the last two years,” Wilder said.

“I know Alan Knill very well, he’s very organised and they’ve got some talented footballers, and he’ll be desperate to get them up this season.

“I’ve known him a long time, from when we were at Southam-pton together, and I was an apprentice and he was a young pro.

“Being No 2, there was a different role for me after the years I had as Halifax manager, but it was one I appreciated, and I appreciated Al-an getting me in.

“They’ve lost their two central midfielders, but he’s got in Peter Sweeney, who was at Grimsby and Leeds, and Steve Schumacher, who was at Bradford, from Crewe.

“And at the back they’ve got Efe Sodje, a colourful character, who I like a lot.”

Baker is likely to be on the bench for United tomorrow.

“I’m looking to be involved and to get back in again, to show my old manager what he’s missing.

“Hopefully, I can get on and show what Bury are missing, and what Oxford have gained.

“I was there for three and a half years, so I know most of the lads. I’ve still got good friends there.

“Knill has brought some experienced lads in and some younger ones, but I think he’s balanced it up from last year.

“I think with the signings he’s made, they’ll be equally as strong as last year.”

Wilder feels Tuesday’s big win will make opponents work even harder when they visit the Kassam Stadium.

“It was a stand-out result, but then maybe people think they have to work even harder. Bury and others will be making sure they bring their A Game to the table.”