Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is confident his players will hold their nerve against Carling Cup opponents Manchester City.

Following the gesture exchange between Gary Neville and Carlos Tevez at Eastlands last week, there are fears Manchester United's decisive derby clash with City could explode given a place at Wembley is at stake for the winners.

Nine thousand City fans add even more to the mix and both the Football Association and Greater Manchester Police have already stepped in with their own pleas for calm.

But Ferguson has no fears for his own side.

Having been through so many big nights in the past, the Scot feels there is no need to be worried.

"I don't pay any attention to all that," he said.

"The player behaviour has always been perfect. We have great players who play to the right rules of the game.

"We have never had any issues in big games. Look at the record. I am not worried about it."