Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick admits the thought of a potential derby FA Cup final against local rivals City is an exciting one - but insists he is solely focused on Saturday's showdown with Arsenal for the time being.
United and City both play last-eight ties at home this weekend and there is already talk about the prospect of the two sides meeting each other at Wembley in either the semi-finals or final, but Carrick is thinking only of the quarter-final at Old Trafford against the Gunners at the moment.
"I can understand the fans getting excited about the possibility but we haven't even thought about the chances of an all Manchester final game at Wembley yet," Carrick said. "We can't look beyond this one on Saturday yet because it is so huge."
He added: "We have been so busy leading up to this one that even Arsenal hadn't been mentioned prior to Liverpool (last Sunday).
"It really is a game-by-game time of the season and that is the only way you can tackle a run-in."
United will be aiming to respond to their defeat at Anfield and Arsenal are also aiming for a return to winning ways after being knocked out of the Champions League by Barcelona earlier this week.
The London outfit remain United's closest challengers at the top of the Barclays Premier League and Carrick is expecting a pulsating encounter.
"Arsenal are obviously a very talented midfield. They showed against Barcelona in the first leg (which they won 2-1) how good they can be," Carrick said.
"They are very skilful and dangerous and play their way. They don't change it for anyone. We have always had good games against them and pretty close games.
"They are usually good footballing games and I am sure it can be one the fans will savour."
Source: PA
