Alex Ferguson is not a man to wave white flags but there was an element of surrender in the air at Carrington, Manchester United's training ground, yesterday.

"We're running out of time and, though you always live in hope, doing it becomes very, very difficult," said the manager in answer to a question about United's dwindling title hopes.

"After Sunday we've only got eight games. I think we have got to that point of almost saying, well . . ." he admitted. "But if we win on Sunday it will make Arsenal a bit more thoughtful."

Arsene Wenger's side may appear virtually home and hosed in the league but the FA Cup is a different matter and Ferguson, in indicating that his main priority is next weekend's semi-final, hinted he might be prepared to rest players.

"I think the more important issue is that, if we win on Sunday, we can look forward to the semi-final with renewed vigour. Picking my team for Sunday is not an easy draw because I suppose you have to have an eye on the semi-final, which will be a different game.

"I've just got to determine who is fit and equipped to play bearing the semi-final in mind as well as the fact that some players are away for internationals next week. We've got a few bumps and bruises.

"Sunday will be a perfect platform for my team. They will be all good players in that arena and you would say it will be one of the few games where form is not the most important thing."

Ferguson evidently regards restoring pride as his team's priority, but he acknowledges Wenger has elevated the Gunners to a higher plane and agreed there were "common denominators" between Arsenal and his own treble-winning class of 1999.

"Their record is phenomenal. You carry bits of luck at times but it's still very difficult to stay undefeated [for so long].

"This is the strongest Arsenal team I've faced. They're very powerful physically. You look at them waiting down that tunnel and there's no midgets there; Ashley Cole is the smallest, and it shows."

Wenger laughed when told of Ferguson's hint that United might rest players tomorrow. "You have a good sense of humour" was his initial response. So did he not believe Ferguson? "Not entirely, no," he said with a grin. "I don't think they will rest players."

Wenger trusts his players will continue to show good discipline and not be drawn into scenes like those in September's 0-0 draw at Old Trafford.

He described that day as a "turning point" because his players learned from their aggression after the final whistle. "I feel we responded well to that situation and have improved a lot. We said we are sorry, it's not how we want to behave. Not only did we say that but we did it." ...