Soccer – Carling Cup team news:Alex Ferguson has dismissed any suggestion his players need to be warned about their behaviour ahead of tomorrow night's powderkeg Carling Cup semi-final.
Following the gesture exchange between Gary Neville and Carlos Tevez at Eastlands last week, there are fears Manchester United’s decisive derby clash with City could explode given a place at Wembley is at stake for the winners.
Nine thousand City fans add even more to the mix and both the Football Association and local police have already stepped in with their own pleas for calm.
But Ferguson has no fears for his own side.
Having been through so many big nights in the past, the Scot feels there is no need to be worried.
“I don’t pay any attention to all that,” he said. “The player behaviour has always been perfect. We have great players who play to the right rules of the game.
“We have never had any issues in big games. Look at the record. I am not worried about it.”
City chief executive Garry Cook has added his own contribution, claiming it is “when and not if” the Blues get through.
Ferguson is not interested in getting involved in a war of words though. His time at United has brought him into conflict with Leeds, Liverpool and Chelsea in major semi-finals and finals.
And he sees no reason why his side’s discipline should let them down now.
“We have enough experience of playing in big games to know it is important to keep your head,” said Ferguson. “It is always a key factor.
“We have had feisty games against the likes of Leeds and Liverpool since I have been here. Player behaviour has always been good. It has never been an issue.”
Ferguson has reported no fresh injury concerns ahead of Manchester United’s Carling Cup semi-final decider with Manchester City tomorrow night.
Rio Ferdinand came through his comeback after three months out with a back complaint against Hull on Saturday with no problems and is set to take his place at the heart of the Red Devils defence.
Wes Brown looks certain to start at right-back, while Ryan Giggs is set for a recall as United look to overturn a 2-1 first-leg lead and book a place at Wembley.
Team (from): Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Neville, Rafael, Ferdinand, Brown, Evans, Evra, Fabio, Valencia, Park, Fletcher, Carrick, Scholes, Anderson, Gibson, Giggs, Obertan, Rooney, Berbatov, Owen, Diouf.
Team(from): Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Neville, Rafael, Ferdinand, Brown, Evans, Evra, Fabio, Valencia, Park, Fletcher, Carrick, Scholes, Anderson, Gibson, Giggs, Obertan, Rooney, Berbatov, Owen, Diouf.