United pick up winning habit before Arsenal visit

Sir Alex Ferguson believes Manchester United have good cause for optimism ahead of the vital Premiership encounter with Arsenal at Old Trafford on Saturday.

The Gunners will go into the game fully rested and refreshed after a midweek break. The Old Trafford manager, however, insists that a winning mentality could prove just as important. Responding to suggestions that Arsenal could have an advantage, he said: "They might think like that but when you are playing and winning that is good for you as well."

That theme was taken up by defender Wes Brown. "Saturday is a big game, everyone is looking forward to it," he said. "We've had a few good wins in the league and we hope we can continue."

United are certainly on a roll. They clinched a place in the quarter-finals of the Worthington Cup on Tuesday with a 2-0 victory at Burnley, their fifth win in six games. Goals from Diego Forlan – his sixth of the season – and a powerful shot from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer saw off the First Division side.

Forlan, who scored twice in the victory against Liverpool on Sunday, said: "Its nice to score. We came here to play well and win – and we did it. We watched some videos and knew they play well and we had all the respect for them."

It was a business-like performance by United, who were without a whole host of key players. Ferguson said: "I thought we showed a lot of resolution and fight against a team that gives everything.

"We had to work hard. They were a bit unlucky and made it a real cup tie. I sensed in the second half we were getting more penetration and creating chances.

"It kept them stretched a bit, and doing that I didn't worry as much as the first half. It was a competent performance. We had to battle but we did that well."

Ferguson picked up a special bonus after the fourth round victory; a bottle of red wine from Stan Ternent. The Burnley manager joked: "It's an expensive bottle of wine on my wages."

Burnley battled hard and could have scored twice in the opening 10 minutes through Gareth Taylor.

Ternent was delighted with his side's display. "The team have done the whole club proud," he said. "Manchester United are an exceptional team. They are clinical, and the finish from Solskjaer was straight out of the top drawer.

"They have very good players. Whatever side they put out it will be a good side, as we saw in this game. It was an enjoyable experience, apart from the result, and a learning experience. That's the standard we have to try and attain.

"There are a lot of things we can learn from the game. It was a good open game, and in the second half we tried to get a bit more width out of our team.

"As long as we learn from this match it will have been a good night. I think we have given the fans something to enjoy."

* The Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour came through a reserve match against Millwall on Tuesday and is hoping to be selected in the squad for Saturday's match with Manchester United.