Megson masterminded his side's famous 1-0 victory over Manchester United at the Reebok Stadium in November to kick-start their battle for Barclays Premier League survival.

But the Trotters have since plunged back into the relegation zone after a poor sequence of results culminating in Sunday's 1-0 defeat by fellow strugglers Wigan Athletic at the JJB Stadium and face United on Wednesday.

Megson said: "I take heart from the way we played against Manchester United earlier this season because if we'd done that in every other game this season we'd be way higher up the league.

"But we haven't and that is a difficulty. You would think you would be able to do it but we haven't managed to do it when we've been playing against teams who haven't got the kudos of Manchester United."

Megson was furious with his side's lack of effort at the JJB Stadium, which paved the way for a precious win for the 10-man Latics and kept the Trotters in the bottom three.

Megson added: "We let ourselves down badly and we've got to get a response from everybody. We've got to go there and do what we were doing before the Wigan game, which is always giving it our best shot.

"It was a poor performance and a shocking result for us at Wigan, but we were masters of our own downfall.

"I can accept it if at times we don't pass it well or dribble well or whatever. But we just didn't get up for the game, which is something I hope never to see again."