Having not won on red soil since Denis Law back-heeled United into Division Two 29 years ago, Kevin Keegan’s men have plenty of incentive for victory themselves.

Yet Ferguson remains detached from the passionate rivalry which divides a city.

He knows, with table-toppers Arsenal due to kick-off their crunch encounter with Newcastle at St James’ Park 90 minutes after the Old Trafford skirmish has finished, his team can apply pressure by hauling back the Gunners’ current three-point advantage.

“We are well aware of how important tomorrow’s match is to the fans,” said Ferguson. “But we have to separate things a little bit because our main focus is the league.

“We are on a charge towards the championship and every game is important to us, whether it is Manchester City or anyone else.

“Three points tomorrow would be a help along the road to winning the title. It is an opportunity to draw level with Arsenal, albeit only for two or three hours, and the mood of the players and the form of the team gives us every confidence.

“Arsenal know we are right behind them. We just hope they will drop enough points for us to take over.”

From the despair of Maine Road, United have transformed their season to such an extent they are now in the running for four trophies, taking on Arsenal for a last-eight FA Cup berth next week, then Liverpool in the Worthington Cup final a fortnight later.

Ferguson is in no doubt that a dramatic defensive improvement is the reason behind their revival.

The unscheduled switch which saw Mikael Silvestre move to centre-half to partner Wes Brown set the platform and now Rio Ferdinand has shaken off a series of injuries, he is starting to find the form which made him a World Cup star.

United have kept three successive clean sheets and conceded just 16 goals on their way to 18 victories in 22 outings since the Maine Road debacle.

“The defensive part of our game was the area we looked to sort out this season and without question it is much better now,” said Ferguson.

“The whole back four are playing exceptionally well and Rio and Wes have developed a really good understanding in the centre. They are both lightening quick and I am delighted with their partnership.”

With stability restored in that area, Ferguson has also seen his side sharpen their cutting edge up front.

Their goals-per-chance ratio has shot up, with Ruud van Nistelrooy and Premiership player of the month Paul Scholes doing much of the damage, while Ryan Giggs has overcome what he admitted was the biggest dip in form of his career to shatter any doubts over his long-term United future.

“Some players’ confidence gets affected more than others and the thing that hurt Ryan most was that he has been at the club for so long and there were doubts cast over him,” said Ferguson.

“But he has responded in the right way and that is what we want to see.”

With skipper Roy Keane back to his marauding best in midfield and Juan Sebastian Veron finally starting to shoulder his share of play-making responsibilities with David Beckham, United’s air of superiority has returned.

“It is good to have City back in the Premiership and Kevin has done well this season,” said the United chief.

“He has brought a lot of players in and shown his ambition for the club by doing that.

“They are safe enough, which is the first task of any team coming up from the Nationwide League, and we know they will come and attack.

“It’s Kevin’s way to have a go and that is fine by us. It will make it an open match and that will benefit the fans.”