Sir Alex Ferguson has pleaded with Manchester United's fans not to embark on their usual disgraceful chanting towards Arsene Wenger at Old Trafford on Monday night.

Wenger has been singled out for one particularly abusive song during previous encounters with United, which Ferguson finds offensive in the extreme.

And, ahead of the meeting between the Premier League's top two, the Red Devils chief has urged his club's supporters to restrict their backing to the team rather than singling out individuals.

"I plead to our fans. They have got to stop that kind of thing," he told MUTV.

"I have faced it myself in the past. I have had some chants at various grounds up and down the country and it is not a nice thing.

"We have a great rivalry with Arsenal. But it shouldn't extend to those levels, not for Manchester United.

"I hope we don't hear any more of that."