Ferguson puts heat on Cup referee

The bitter North-west rivals need no excuse to commence hostilities whenever they meet, but when their 14th duel in the FA Cup kicks off at 12.30pm this afternoon they will have plenty. The contest marks the start of an eight-day spell that will determine whether Ferguson faces a second successive season without a trophy while offering Liverpool a swift opportunity to avenge last month's painful Premiership defeat at Old Trafford. It is also Gary Neville's 31st birthday.

The United captain and celebrated Scouse-baiter will be treated to a more venomous Anfield welcome than usual following his manic celebration of Rio Ferdinand's last-minute winner on 22 January. Then, Neville, goaded throughout by Liverpool supporters who have never forgotten or forgiven a similar reaction from the England international when two late United goals knocked them out of the FA Cup in 1999, responded in kind with a now infamous fist-pumping, badge-kissing salute.

It was mere natural exuberance, according to Ferguson, who would rather have players of passion than "cold fish who just walk back up the park and tie their bootlaces while everyone else is celebrating"; deliberate provocation, according to Greater Manchester Police, who dealt with violent clashes between rival fans after the game, and also the Football Association, who charged the defender with improper conduct but delayed the hearing until after this game.

Into this maelstrom steps Webb, a top-flight referee for only three years but who has earned the respect of Premiership managers and players alike with his common-sense, communicative approach. His duties will today include reminding both sets of players before kick-off not to incite opposition supporters and, in the eyes of a United manager who is among his admirers and not against his appointment, a possibly decisive influence on the outcome.

"Gary has always taken stick from the Liverpool fans but judging by what I have read this week he'll be lucky to get out of there alive," said Ferguson, who has Neville, Ryan Giggs, Edwin van der Sar and Rio Ferdinand all available after recent injury problems. "He is going to get even more stick this time but I just hope it doesn't affect the referee's performance. That can happen.

"It will be incessant against Gary, and for a young referee to get this game it is a big test anyway. He is Keith Hackett's big hope to replace Graham Poll as the best referee in the country but Graham Poll has been the best referee in England for the last 10 years as far as I'm concerned. The handling of the Gary Neville situation is part of his test and he has to be 100 per cent fair."

Though both managers appealed for the game to pass without controversy Rafael Benitez underlined the capacity for trouble - along with Merseyside Police, who will have an increased presence around the stadium - by revealing that he has ordered his players to avoid flashpoints. Jamie Carragher and Fernando Morientes were among those who criticised Neville's celebrations and Benitez admitted: "It's important not to be distracted by other things and this has been pointed out to the players in training. If people are talking about the game and the goals we've scored to win after the match, I will be happy. If people are talking about other incidents, I will be disappointed."

Peter Crouch has recovered from the heel injury that forced him to miss Liverpool's last two League victories while Jose Reina is expected to replace Jerzy Dudek having served a three-match suspension for raising his hand to Arjen Robben.

With 6,500 United fans present, Neville is guaranteed firm support as well as criticism, and Ferguson admits his captain's elevation to public enemy No 1 at Anfield is not without its benefits. "The Liverpool fans will be targeting one man," he said, "Wayne Rooney and myself are delighted."

The Deportivo La Coruña midfielder Aldo Duscher claims he has been in contact with Manchester United over a possible summer transfer.

A tackle by the Argentinian in a Champions' League match left United's former midfielder David Beckham with a metatarsal injury in 2002.