Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has backed his captain Gary Neville to come through if he gets a barrage of abuse at Anfield on Saturday.

Neville was criticised for his exuberant goal celebrations right in front of Liverpool fans when United beat their rivals in the Premier League last month thanks to Rio Ferdinand's last-minute goal.

"With the two games being so near there is a big focus on his celebrations of that goal," Ferguson told a news conference on Friday.

"But that will drive Gary on and (United's former Everton striker) Wayne Rooney and I are delighted by it.

"There has been a lot made of it but Steven Gerrard celebrated in more or less the same way in a derby game with Everton. Robbie Fowler did the same during a derby game with Manchester City.

"Players celebrate goals emotionally and I would rather have that than a cold fish who runs back to the halfway line and ties up his bootlaces."

Ferguson has called for referee Howard Webb not to be influenced by the crowd's reaction to Neville.

"I hope it doesn't get to the point where it affects the referee," said Ferguson.

United have not been beaten by Liverpool in the FA Cup for 85 years and Ferguson says matches with the Merseyside club are his favourite encounters.

"When I first came to England I knew that if I was going to be successful the one thing I had to do was finish above Liverpool," said the Scot.

"That was my target and I achieved it. Some of the younger fans may not remember those days but I haven't forgotten and that's what makes this game so important."