United on the goal trail

Despite dominating the first leg at Old Trafford last week, United travel to the Emirates Stadium with just a single-goal advantage. Crucially, however, they did not concede a precious away goal, meaning if they do score against Arsene Wenger's men, the Gunners would need three to set up a meeting with either Chelsea or Barcelona in Rome on May 27.

"We have to go there with the intent of trying to score," said Ferguson. "The important thing is to have a threat and hopefully we manage it."

He added: "We have the ability to score and if we can it would put us in a very strong position."

United's position in what Ferguson believes will be an "engrossing game" is strengthened by the likely availability of Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra.

The defensive duo were both rated doubtful at one point. However, Ferdinand has shrugged off the rib injury suffered in the first-leg and the bruised lung that forced him to cough up blood in the home dressing room at Old Trafford, while Patrice Evra should be fit despite missing training on Monday with a leg injury.

"There is nothing I don't know about Arsenal and there is nothing they don't know about us," he said.

"There is nothing you can hide.

"The challenges and clashes we have had with Arsenal in the past don't reach the proportion of this one.

"If we got the away goal then Arsenal have got to score three and that is an advantage. But it will be a tight game. It will be very close."