RIO'S RESPECT FOR FULHAM

Rio Ferdinand says the anti-complacency message rammed home by Sir Alex Ferguson earlier this week applies to all competitions.

It's one of the reasons why United won the Carling Cup last weekend and are continuing to chase another domestic trophy with Saturday's FA Cup tie at Fulham.

Rio told Red View: "Everything we’re in for, we want to win, simple as that.

"We don’t go into a tournament and think, ‘I wouldn’t mind going out of this one early,’ it just doesn’t exist in the make-up of the club.

"We want to be in every shake-up there is for a trophy and the FA Cup is no different."

Fulham booked their place in the cup quarter-final by winning a replay against Swansea, six days after their Manchester mauling in the league . However, Rio expects a different contest in the capital.

Ferdinand insists: "They are a strong side. We beat them at Old Trafford recently but at their place they’re a much better team. We have to make sure we produce in that game, and make sure we don’t allow any complacency to creep in."

Fulham's midweek loss to Hull, inflicted by United's loaned-out striker Manucho , was their first home defeat since September. See below for more stats.

SIR ALEX SHUFFLES HIS PACK FOR SATURDAY

Although he has no new injury concerns, Sir Alex Ferguson is promising to make changes to the side that won 2-1 at Newcastle United in the league. He'll pick his eleven to face Fulham in the FA Cup from a 20-strong squad.

"It's an opportunity to keep the players' engines running," he said. "They've all been applying themselves very well, so the squad rotation has been working."

Right-back options remain limited, although the situation could soon improve.

"Wes (Brown) needs a couple more weeks, but Gary (Neville) may be back a bit sooner - hopefully he’ll be training with us again next week," said Sir Alex. "Rafael will be out for a little longer with a hairline fracture of his ankle."

United are returning to London for the second time in a week following last Sunday's Carling Cup final. With Wednesday's demanding trip to St James' Park sandwiched in between, Sir Alex is grateful for a strong squad to freshen up his starting XI.

"We played on a tiring pitch at Wembley, then we had to travel home and up to the north-east, which itself can be exhausting. But there’s no doubt the (team) changes helped and hopefully they’ll help again at Fulham."

Watch Sir Alex's press conference on MUTV Online from 16:00 GMT Friday.

PATRICE EVRA'S TEAM-MATE TALES

United's flying French full-back spills the beans about his colleagues at Carrington...

Who's the best trainer? - Hmmm… Ji-sung Park. He’s full of energy and runs around just like he does in every game. He’s difficult to play against in training because sometimes you don’t know where he is and you lose him. One minute he’s behind you, the next he’s somewhere else... he’s like a ghost!

And the worst trainer? - [Long pause] Oh, I know, Tony Strudwick, our fitness coach! [Laughs].

Who is your most intelligent team-mate? - That’s an easy one, Edwin van der Sar. He’s got a lot of experience and knows a lot about different things - he’s a very clever guy. He’s great to play alongside because he helps you with your positioning.

Who's the funniest player? - I’d say Nani. He’s a great guy, a strong player who always trains hard, but someone who also likes to have a laugh.

Who are the best and worst dressed players in the team? - I'm going to say Tomasz Kuszczak for best dressed. If he was still here I would have said Louis Saha for worst dressed but instead I’ll go for Tomasz Kuszczak, again! One day he’s the best dressed, the next day he’s the worst!

Who's got the best taste in music? - That’s easy - me! I like every type of music from R & B to hiphop to rock. I try to look after the music in the dressing room and keep everyone happy.

You can read more of Patrice's revelations in the new Inside United, on sale now.