Fergie wants Webb to control

Sir Alex Ferguson feels referee Howard Webb will have to be on his mettle.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson feels referee Howard Webb will have to be on his mettle in order to ensure Saturday's FA Cup clash with Liverpool does not boil over.

Tensions always run high when the two sides meet, but the recent controversy surrounding Gary Neville and his goal celebration has added spice to the contest.

Webb has been given the game and Ferguson is looking for him to keep a lid on the contest.

"He (Neville) is obviously going to get stick, we expect that, he has always got stick from Liverpool fans," said Ferguson.

"Anyway, I hope it doesn't get to the point where it affects the referee's performance. That sort of thing can happen, as it'll be incessant tomorrow.

"For a young referee to get this big game is a big test.

"I think (Keith) Hackett said he (Webb) can replace (Graham) Poll as the best ref in the country, but Poll has been the best ref in England for the last ten years as far as I'm concerned.

"He's young and they've big hopes for the lad and it is a big test for him handling the Neville situation.

"The one thing is he has to be 100 percent fair.

"It is a big test for Howard Webb, a lot of of people are starting to respect him.

"It is very easy with the stick Gary is going to take, the volume of noise is going to be incessant and aimed at one man.

"Wayne Rooney and myself are delighted!"

Ferguson is confident England defender Neville will be able to handle atmosphere on Saturday.

"Neville's alright, he's trained all week and is fine," declared the Scot.

Ferguson expects a white hot atmosphere at Anfield and is looking forward to the occasion.

"It doesn't matter when United play Liverpool, it's a guaranteed electric atmosphere," said Ferguson. "There will be tension in the game, if a mistake is made it will be punished. In that sense it doesn't matter when it's played, the only difference from a league game is it's a cup game and it could be sudden death tomorrow."

Ferguson claims his players have had a good week to prepare for the game, whereas Liverpool were forced to take on Arsenal in midweek.

"(Edwin) van der Sar started training yesterday and he should be okay, (Ryan) Giggs has trained all week which is good news, Rio (Ferdinand) trained yesterday and worked today.

"Going into these big games you hope everything falls into place in terms of the team you want to pick and no last minute hitches.

"It is a big game and a game that will be a great focus for everyone in the country."