Sir Alex expects open game again

Sir Alex Ferguson anticipates another exhibition of attacking football this weekend when United face Tottenham Hotspur for the second time in six days.

Especially as the venue is White Hart Lane, where Spurs netted five in their last home game (against Arsenal) and the Reds scored four on their last visit, almost a year ago to the day. Add to that five goals in a week for United and the formula looks right.

"The performance level the other night (vs Portsmouth) was unbelievable," said Sir Alex.

"But Tottenham away is a very different game. We saw last Sunday there is a wind of change at Tottenham, no question. The cup tie was terrifically open and for the first time in a few years at our ground there were some goals in the game.

"The games at Old Trafford have generally been one-goal affairs with more goals being reserved for White Hart Lane. So goodness knows what’s going to happen on Saturday. Hopefully we can get the result we want but I’m expecting a very tough but open game."

Sir Alex has the luxury of an almost fully fit squad to select from, with only Louis Saha, Mikael Silvestre and Gary Neville missing the trip through lack of fitness.

"Gary’s been doing okay," replied Sir Alex, when asked for an update on his club captain.

"But we're trying not to exhaust him so he doesn't get any more niggles. Gary puts so much into a training session. He can’t do anything by halves, he always goes flat out."