Football: Strange to face Man U at Old Trafford without Fergie in dugout, says Wenger

MANCHESTER - Arsenal head to Manchester United tomorrow with manager Arsene Wenger talking of strange times and serenity.

It will be the first time in his 17 years at the London club that the Frenchman travels to Old Trafford without great rival Alex Ferguson in the home dugout.

"It will be a bit strange," Wenger told a news conference yesterday.

"I will see him (Ferguson), certainly yes ... Now, we meet each other only at the big managers' meeting to speak about how we can improve football and not how can Manchester United beat Arsenal or how Arsenal can beat Man United.

"So, of course, it will be a bit more peaceful and more serene."

United manager David Moyes said Arsenal's flying start owed much to them having a long-serving manager when last term's top three had new faces at the helm with Manuel Pellegrini at Manchester City, Jose Mourinho at Chelsea and him at Old Trafford.

"I think it does show the benefit of having continuity and stability," he told a news conference.

"I think that's the benefit Arsenal have had this season."

"It will be interesting to see whether they can maintain that (form) because over the last six or seven years, they have faded off," he told Sky Sports News.

Wenger was quick to issue a reminder of his own: "Usually after Christmas, we have been very strong every season."