Ferguson to keep fine Cup

Alex Ferguson must ensure his Manchester United players are not distracted by BSkyB's failed takeover bid when they face Arsenal in tomorrow's FA Cup semi-final.

The United boss will privately be cursing the timing of the announcement that the Government has blocked BSkyB's bid for the club coming as it did just 48 hours before one of their biggest games of the season.

A few weeks ago Ferguson had called for the matter to be resolved one way or the other, but he would have preferred the decision to have come out at the start of next week and not at this critical time.

However, the United players did not let the frenzy surrounding the bid affect them back in September when the takeover was made public and he will expect them to be just as professional now.

Ferguson is confident going into the Villa Park clash that his players will soon be getting measured up for their cup final suits.

His treble-chasers are unbeaten in their last 21 games and he has won all four of his FA Cup semi-finals with the club.

"There is a good consistency and I know that we're all looking forward to this game," he said. "The belief and confidence is certainly there. We've got a great record in semi-finals at Villa Park and a great record in semi-finals in general.

"The most important thing, though, is that we're going into this game in good spirits. We've had a good season so far and we want to make sure it finishes a great season."

Ferguson is not bothered by Arsenal's record of four wins and a draw from the last five matches between the sides.

He is adamant that his players are talented enough to beat Arsene Wenger's Cup holders. "They beat us at Highbury in the league, but I thought we were unlucky in the last league game at Old Trafford in February," he said.

"We played well and maybe could have had three or four, but these things happen in football."

One disappointment for Ferguson is that he will be without Henning Berg. The Norwegian damaged his medial knee ligaments against Juventus on Wednesday night and came off at half-time to be replaced by Ronny Johnsen.

Ferguson claims he could be out for three weeks and is unlikely to play in the Champions' League semi-final return against Juventus in Turin. "We're looking at two or three weeks out for him," he admitted.

The injury is a cruel blow to Berg, who had been playing so well alongside Jaap Stam at the heart of the defence, and Johnsen will continue in his place.

"It's unfortunate for the lad, but Ronny Johnsen, who played well against Juventus, will play against Arsenal," said Ferguson.

The omens favour United. They have triumphed in their last nine semi-finals and they last went out at this stage in 1970.

Sixteen years ago on the only other occasion United met Arsenal in the semi-finals they won 2-1. And the venue? Villa Park.

Alan Shearer has pledged to lead the fight to take Newcastle back to Wembley for the second year running. The England striker is fit for Sunday's FA Cup semi-final against Tottenham.

The 28-year-old missed the Easter games against Derby County and Spurs with an ankle injury he picked up in training after returning from international duty, but admitted that he could have lined up against George Graham's side in the Premiership on Monday night at a push.

And now he is raring to go as he leads his side into battle in the hunt for their first domestic trophy in 44 years.

"I could have played on Monday if I was pushed, but we felt it was best just to get it right and get it 100 per cent and it is now," said Shearer. "I'm fine and looking forward to it."

But the news does not appear to be as hopeful on strike partner Duncan Ferguson, who missed training yesterday. The big Scot, who has not played since December after undergoing surgery on a groin injury, played and scored in a behind-closed-doors friendly on Wednesday night, but his chances of a comeback at Old Trafford seem to be receding.

Shearer is likely to line up with Temuri Ketsbaia in attack, and he will be looking for an action replay of last year's semi-final in which his goal was enough to take Newcastle to Wembley at the expense of Sheffield United.

Potential match-winners David Ginola and Les Ferdinand were rested for the 1-1 league draw between the two sides on Monday, and while Shearer, who played with both men at St James' Park, knows how dangerous they can be, he is confident that they can be contained.

Shearer and Ferguson aside, United were saying little about the prospects of their other injury victims. Laurent Charvet injured an ankle on Monday, and Didier Domi also took a knock, while Steve Howey came through the midweek friendly but has not played first-team football since damaging a calf muscle a month ago.