Manchester United chief Sir Alex Ferguson has no problems with Harry Redknapp's threat to play his weakest possible Tottenham team at Old Trafford on Saturday. "It is not a reflection on the FA Cup at all," Ferguson said.

"Harry was speaking in the emotion of a game of what I am sure is a concern.

"He has some genuine injuries and is concerned about Tuesday night against Stoke. At the moment they are down there along with three or four others on 21 points.

"He has been picking up one or two injuries and their next few league games are quite tough ones. They have three six-pointers and are coming out of a match played on a really soft pitch in atrocious conditions.

"In that situation you have to protect your club."