Fergie welcomes Reds showdown

Sir Alex Ferguson says the clash with Liverpool will be 'a great tie for everyone'.

The clash of the two Northern giants was determined after the draw at Soho Square on Monday, and Rafa Benitez's men will be hoping to avenge the recent 1-0 defeat that saw Gary Neville charged by The FA for his exuberant celebrations.

Anfield will host yet another instalment of one of English football's most passionate rivalries on the weekend of February 18 and Ferguson, whose intention on becoming manager of United back in 1986 was to knock The Reds off their pedestal, is relishing what will no doubt be a feisty occasion.

"It's a great tie for everyone," Ferguson told the club's official website.

"It's a hard draw, but The FA Cup is all about difficult ties and dramatic games.

"And you can only really appreciate what winning is all about in the cup competitions by getting through the tougher matches."

Meanwhile United's bitter wrangle with Chelsea over Nigerian starlet John Obi Mikel is reported to have taken another turn with The Red Devils asking Fifa to ban The Blues from transfer dealings.

United are incensed at what they perceive to be Chelsea's hijacking of the deal to take the talented Lyn star to Old Trafford, and are reportedly keen to see a transfer embargo imposed on the London side, as well as calling for them to be excluded from future competitions.