Ferguson has faith in United
Sir Alex Ferguson is convinced that the level-headed temperament of his Manchester United team will guarantee a winning response to their FA Cup exit when they clash with Sunderland at the Stadium of Light tonight.
The Premiership champions meet Peter Reid's second-placed team just three days after their surprise fourth-round defeat by West Ham at Old Trafford.
"It's a very big game for us," said Ferguson. "Even if we had beaten West Ham it wouldn't have made the visit to Sunderland any easier.
"What makes it hard is not so much that they are better than anyone else, but the fact that they've given themselves some hope of getting into Europe next season."
Sunderland, who trail United by a hefty 13 points, last played in Europe in 1973-74 when they were knocked out of the Cup Winners' Cup in the second round by Sporting Lisbon.
" You can see what tonight's game means to them by the way they handled Ipswich at the weekend," added Ferguson.
"They rested Niall Quinn and took Kevin Phillips off at half-time. I know full well they'll be thinking that a result against us will be the big boost to their season.
"In that respect it's one of Sunderland's biggest games, but that's the way it is wherever we play. We've got used to it. It's not a problem.
"This United team is the best since I've been at the club. I say that because of their temperament. They were disappointed to lose to West Ham and will want to redeem that situation."
United will again be without flu victim Paul Scholes. David Beckham is doubtful for the same reason.
