The high-octane all-Mancunian set-to will leave its heartlands of Old Trafford and Eastlands for one day only as United and City scrap it out for a place in the final. British Transport Police are mounting their most expensive security operation to try to ensure things proceed smoothly off-the-field. However, on it, Carrick expects the action to be more in keeping with Wayne Rooney's sensational winner on the last meeting between the two clubs in February rather than the tepid goalless draw last November. "Maybe it will be a different type of derby because it is at Wembley," said the England star. "Both teams will be going for it and I don't think it will be like the normal league games, which have been a bit boring at times. "This will be different. The atmosphere is bound to be amazing and I am sure it is going to be entertaining for the fans." Although City's motivation comes from a 35-year trophyless drought, something every visit to Old Trafford reminds them of given it is recorded on a banner of a revolving clock which hangs down from the Stretford End, United deny the competition means any less to them. Only five members of the Red Devils' present squad have won the trophy before, a figure that does not include Wayne Rooney, or Rio Ferdinand, who was suspended for the last of United's 11 triumphs thanks to his eight-month ban for failing to take a drugs test. Carrick also has a hole in his collection, having been a member of the United starting line-up that lost to Chelsea in 2007. The Wallsend-born player is part of the pre-Champions League generation who tend to hold the FA Cup in higher regard, which is certainly true of him. "The FA Cup is what I grew up with," he said. "It was such a big deal when I was young to sit and watch the FA Cup final. "I half remember the Coventry-Tottenham one. But it was more 1988, Wimbledon versus Liverpool. I was six then. "The tradition and the history of the thing is incredible and it has stayed with me ever since. "As we are all aware, the challenge for Manchester City is to win trophies, because they haven't done it for a while. "Over the years, this club has been very successful at that. "But there a lot of players at United who have not won the FA Cup and that is something we want to put right." Given the weeks endured by the respective camps, it would be a major surprise to some if City were to come out on top. The Blues are reeling from the loss of skipper Carlos Tevez to a hamstring injury sustained in the middle of their worst performance of the season at Liverpool on Monday. In contrast, United are hitting form at exactly the right time. For months Ferguson's team have been dismissed as a pale imitation of old Red Devils teams. Yet they managed to reach the Champions League semi-final on Tuesday without needing to call on Dimitar Berbatov or Paul Scholes and with only a minimal contribution from Antonio Valencia. All three are expected to be in Ferguson's starting line-up this weekend and it would be no surprise if the Scot made more substantial alterations as he tries to keep his squad fresh and on top form for the challenges that lie ahead. "I don't know what the secret is," admitted Carrick. "The manager knows how to plan his season I suppose. He picks players at the right time. "A lot of the lads are hitting good form at the right time, myself included. "There is still a way to go but at this time of year it is a good sign when games are coming thick and fast. "We want big games in different competitions. That is what we have at the moment and momentum can be very important at this time of year."
