Arsenal: there's no vendetta

"We have a whole different lot of players for the game and the last thing we want is another incident. I sincerely hope there won't be one. The players will be aware of the responsibility of representing Arsenal. There will be no need, I am sure, to remind them of that."

Ferguson stoked up some of the ill-feeling again last night when he said that Arsenal no longer worry him as a major threat. He said: "I think everyone is concerned about Chelsea now."

The Scot also declined to say if he would would be on more friendly terms with Wenger. He said: "Will I shake his hand? You will have to pay for a ticket and come and see."

Ferguson said he was amused by the way the draw had paired the two rivals in a cup match so soon after their Premiership battle. He added: "I had to laugh. I think there was smoke coming out of the ears of some people at the FA. They must have thought 'Anything but that'.

"But we will just go and play our football and, we hope, get a result."

Only two of tonight's Arsenal team were at Old Trafford for the league game. Goalkeeper Manuel Almunia and striker Robin van Persie were on the bench for the match and will start. The rest are from the nucleus of the young squad that has, to date, knocked out two nearly full-strength Premiership teams in Manchester City and Everton.

Wenger has already stated that it would be "criminal" to make wholesale changes just because of the profile of the match and the youngsters Justin Hoyte, Philippe Senderos, Gael Clichy, Mathieu Flamini and Arturo Lupoli will get their chance to secure a semi-final place.

But Arsenal will be without the experienced Pascal Cygan, who has a back injury, and Cesc Fabregas, who is rested.

Ferguson will stick with the squad which defeated Crystal Palace in the last round, bar the injured Louis Saha.