Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger expects their Champions League clashes with semifinal opponents Manchester United to be red hot.

Wenger believes the mutual respect between him and Sir Alex Ferguson will survive the next three weeks, however keenly contested the matches will be.

He said: "There have been some heated games against United but I believe, on the pitch, always good football games.

"There is respect, of course, but I think it will be a fierce competition. Both teams are peaking at the right time."