Danny Welbeck, Federico Macheda and Ritchie De Laet were all involved in the victory over Tottenham on Tuesday, when 22-year-old Darron Gibson scored both goals.

However, with City desperate to win their first trophy since 1976 and United supporters equally keen to stop them, there had been a feeling Sir Alex Ferguson might tinker with his line-up to give it a much stronger look.

But that suggestion has been rejected by Ferguson's assistant Mike Phelan, who does not see a need for change.

"We will continue to use a certain set of players that we have done in the past," he said.

"We never go into a football match looking to lose a football match.

"But our policy has been to give young talented players the opportunity to play in competition. This is just another step for them."

Phelan does concede the hype surrounding the two games will be huge, further reawakening a rivalry that lay dormant since the late 1960s.

"It is great to be playing Manchester City. It will add some spice and will get things buzzing around the city.

"But the fact is we are in the semi-final of a cup competition and it is an opportunity to get to a final.

"There is no point coming this far not to get there - and this club loves finals."