Fireworks expected in battle of Manchester

The most hotly anticipated Manchester derby for years takes place tonight against a backdrop of acrimony, with both clubs and the police calling for calm at a match that could have lasting repercussions for the balance of footballing power in the city.

Old Trafford will be the venue for the second leg of the Carling Cup semi-final with Manchester City leading their more illustrious rivals 2-1 on aggregate as they bid to make their first major Wembley appearance since 1981 and prove that they are now a force to be reckoned with.

Not only is there the scoreline to consider - there is the bad blood generated in the first leg at Eastlands, where former United favourite Carlos Tevez scored both of City's goals and appeared to taunt his old employers. That prompted United stalwart Gary Neville to make an obscene gesture in the direction of the Argentinian forward. Tevez's response was to brand Neville a "boot licker" and a "moron".

Shortly afterwards City's gaffe-prone chief executive Garry Cook got involved when he said it was a matter of "not if but when" the Citizens got the better of United and became the biggest club in the world.

To make matters worse there has been a poisonous atmosphere around Old Trafford recently after revelations about the financial position of the club and United's American owners, the Glazer family. United supporters may take time out from their anti-Glazer campaign to focus on the matter at hand, but City's 9,000 travelling fans will take great delight in the reversal of financial fortunes at the two clubs.

The police are concerned that trouble could flare, as it did at the first leg, as tempers boil over. They have urged the clubs and fans to keep calm.

The managers of the two teams have also been trying to keep a lid on things before the match.

Alex Ferguson claimed he was not worried about the pressure and claimed his players were "perfect". A view perhaps undermined by the fact that his returning captain Rio Ferdinand could miss the match after being charged with violent conduct by the FA after an incident in the match against Hull on Saturday.

When other derby day incidents involving the likes of Roy Keane and Gary Neville were brought up Ferguson responded: "I don't know what you're talking about."

Roberto Mancini, who had promised City fans that he would tear down a banner at Old Trafford that celebrates City's 34-year barren spell, was moved to quote defunct rock band Oasis in his appeal for calm. Citing Noel and Liam Gallagher in a plea for brotherly love may seem futile but the Italian urged fans and players alike: "Don't look back in anger."

He also played down the incident between Tevez and Neville, but there is no doubt that the Argentine will run the gauntlet of United fans' fury at Old Trafford.

As for Mancini - he may have experienced derby day in Rome and Milan but neither are likely to prepare him for the febrile atmosphere that awaits him at Old Trafford this evening. ·