Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted there is no chance of Sunday's Carling Cup final matching the semi for raw emotion.
Manchester United famously confirmed a Wembley date with Aston Villa by edging a two-legged thriller with Manchester City. The atmosphere surrounding the two derby clashes will live long in the memory, as will the stoppage-time header by Wayne Rooney that sealed United's passage to their third final in five years.
"I don't think the final can reach the same level of emotion as the semi. It is a different type of game. Wembley is an occasion. It has always been that way." acknowledged Ferguson.
He continued: "But the only way you can enjoy Wembley is by winning. We have got an opportunity to win something on Sunday. It is not a nice day when you lose."
There may be no 'noisy neighbours' for United to overcome on Sunday but the team carefully pieced together by Martin O'Neill was good enough to take four points off them this term, including that long-awaited Old Trafford victory.
A grudge, if there is one, comes from the 1994 final meeting between the sides when a Villa team managed by Ron Atkinson recorded a 3-1 win that ultimately cost Ferguson a domestic treble.
"I hope we are involved in a treble this time too," said Ferguson.
Source: PA
