Don't kill magic of Wembley: Fergie ignites semi-final row

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Ferguson — whose team face Portsmouth in the first quarter-final at Old Trafford this lunchtime — said: 'Having the semis at Wembley takes a bit of the real buzz from getting to the final, I think.

John Terry lifts the FA Cup after Chelsea beat United in last season's final

'The incentive for every footballer is that one day they can get to a final at Wembley.'

But last night the Manchester United manager's comments were shot down by players from the 'small' clubs involved in today's quarter-finals.

Victory for Barnsley, West Bromwich, Bristol Rovers or Cardiff today would give a handful of relatively unknown players the chance to play at Wembley for perhaps the only time in their career.

Ferguson has won the FA Cup five times with United and is favourite to lead his team out at the national stadium once again in May.

But Barnsley's Hungarian striker Istvan Ferenczi reminded the United boss that not everyone involved in English football is so fortunate.

Ferenczi — who will lead the line against Chelsea at Oakwell later today — said: 'For me and other players in my team, the motivation to win this game and play at Wembley is huge.

'Growing up in Hungary I used to see Wembley on the TV but I have never been there. It's a new stadium but it still has the same attraction for players from smaller clubs like mine.'

The FA have made a commitment to playing all showpiece games at Wembley after the cost of building approached the £800m mark.

But Ferguson pointed to the costs imposed on supporters, especially those who end up at Wembley twice.

He said: 'That's another unfortunate part. Having the semis at neutral grounds was always obvious to me. If we are drawn against Middlesbrough then both of us would have to go down to Wembley — when we could have semi at Manchester City, Liverpool, Everton or Leeds.'

Cardiff manager Dave Jones takes the Championship side to Middlesbrough tomorrow, however, telling them to use Wembley as an incentive.

He said: 'Hopefully they'll be inspired by that thought.'