Source: Telegraph
Manchester United v Arsenal: Sir Alex Ferguson warns of potential 'feisty' encounter
United and Arsenal meet in the season's first 'Big Four' clash at Old Trafford on Saturday evening.
The fixture has a lengthy history of explosive encounters, with both managers being involved in a series of verbal clashes.
Recent meetings have been incident-free, both on the pitch and in the dug-out, but with Arsenal arriving at Old Trafford on the back of four successive victories, Ferguson admits that tensions could flare-up once again.
He said: "Over the years, United-Arsenal games have been a feature of the Premier League.
"We have often been competing for the number one spot, so games have been very feisty.
"The character of the teams has changed since then and there are no Roy Keanes or Patrick Vieiras around now. The volatile characters don't figure and the personalities of the teams are different.
"But last season's 0-0 draw at Old Trafford became a bit heated in some moments, so these fixtures are no less competitive. They are just different types of games."
Ferguson insists that United must make their mark on their Big Four opponents this season after struggling to claim points against their closest rivals last term.
He said: "There are 35 games left, so you can't say that this games means a lot at this stage.
"But we lost six points to Liverpool last season, four points to Arsenal and two to Chelsea.
"We have to address that and tomorrow gives us an opportunity to start doing that."
Rio Ferdinand and Edwin van der Sar remain absent for United, with Ferguson admitting that Ferdinand's optimism about a return for the Spurs game in two weeks' could be optimistic.
But the United manager admitted that long-term absentee Owen Hargreaves will return to Old Trafford following rehabilitation from double surgery in the USA.
Ferguson said: "Owen is due back at the club on September 23, but we have been on constant dialogue with him.
"We haven't seen him for quite a while, so he will be bringing his physio over with him for a week to help the transition and for us to understand his condition.
"After a year on the sidelines, we won't be rushing him back.
"We will give him time to get back to the level that can play at and he will be a terrific addition to our squad."
