Shaun Maloney tonight blasted Stephen Humphrys' loan at Hearts last year - as well as Jordan Jones' at Kilmarnock.
The former Hibernian boss insists both wingers at like new players since returning to Wigan Athletic this season.
The ex-Scotland international was speaking to ITV Sport prior to tonight's FA Cup clash between Wigan and Manchester United, which finished 2-0 to Erik ten Hag's men.
Humphrys scored five goals for the Jambos during his stint in Edinburgh. This included a stunner from inside his own half against Dundee United. Jones failed to make the desired impact for Derek McInnes' side as they just managed to secure survival in the top flight.
The pair started tonight's match against the global footballing giants. And Maloney clearly thinks highly of them.
He said: "We've got quite a few [to keep an eye on]. Our captain tonight, Charlie Hughes, and our goalkeeper Sam Tickle... if we're to have any chance tonight we're going to need big moments from our defenders and goalkeepers.
"And we have some talent. We do have talent in the final third. We've got [Martial] Godo on loan from Fulham. And the two players, Humphrys and Jones, they had really bad loans last year and they've come back like new players. So we've got some talent in the final third and we're going to need it tonight."
Meanwhile, Kilmarnock goalkeeper Will Dennis has signed a new contract at parent club AFC Bournemouth.
The 23-year-old is enjoying a season-long loan at Rugby Park after joining from The Cherries in the summer.
The keeper's contract was due to expire at the end of the current campaign.
However, today, the Premier League outfit confirmed that Dennis has committed his future on the south coast until the summer of 2026.
