Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is hoping the need for maximum points against Wanderers will help generate a crackling atmosphere, although, not for the first time, he has found Old Trafford to be a more vibrant place away from Premiership combat.

Tuesday's charity game is a case in point, with the Scot likening the occasion to a carnival given the number of youngsters who watched.

"It was a different type of support," he said.

"But it is difficult to replicate that kind of atmosphere for a league game because there are so many visitors in our stadium from foreign countries."