The Premier League's top two go head-to-head at the Emirates Stadium with the country eager to see how the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Robin van Persie and Emmanuel Adebayor measure up to Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani.
While Rooney, and particularly Ronaldo, were the stand-out stars last term, Fabregas is the one excelling this season.
The 20-year-old Barcelona graduate has already reached double figures in goals for the campaign and appears to be improving by the week as Arsenal continue their impressive start.
But, as Ferguson has always reinforced when asked to assess his own talented youngsters' contribution, youth can bring mistakes.
It is only with maturity that authority and consistency can be relied upon. And, for the Scot, it is only at the end of an individual's career rather than the start, that their true talent can be assessed.
"Time will tell over Fabregas because he is young," observed Ferguson.
"It is the same with my players. You have Ronaldo, Rooney, Nani, Anderson and Carlos Tevez who all have their future in front of them.
"In two or three years' time I want to be saying, 'They are the best in the world'.
Signs
"At this moment in time they are showing those signs.
"But it is very important to look back at what they have won. Can they win a European Championship? Are they playing in World Cup finals? These are the periods you have to add up.
"It is what Johan Cruyff, Pele and Maradona had to endure in terms of how highly they were rated.
"That is the challenge for all these young players and they must always be judged in that way."
Although he found another player of potential at Barcelona in Spain Under-21 international Gerard Pique, Ferguson is honest enough to admit Fabregas had escaped his own radar.
However, having lured Ronaldo to Old Trafford from Sporting Lisbon as a teenager and now done the same with Nani and Anderson, Ferguson is clearly not averse to placing his faith in youth.
As with most things though, the Scot feels time must be spent assessing each player's character.
"Judgements are made over a period," he said.
"There can be no knee-jerk reactions or quick decisions. When you are spending money on a teenager you have to be sure of certain things.
"Do they have the temperament to handle that fee? Is there more development in the player because some do peak very early?"
Ferguson confirmed United were monitoring Nani's progress even when Ronaldo was being signed in 2003 while, with Anderson, who impressed for FC Porto in a pre-season encounter in Amsterdam mainly memorable for the double dismissals of Rooney and Paul Scholes, a risk had to be taken on the 19-year-old's recovery from a broken leg.
"We did a lot of work on Nani and Ronaldo helped with background information," revealed Ferguson.
"In the case of Anderson, there was a risk factor because we saw him in pre-season and then he broke his leg.
"There was a decision to be made about whether we should wait for the boy to come back when the whole world could be after him or the fee could be higher, or to do it immediately. We felt the risk was worth it."
Who has the better scouting system - United or Arsenal? Have your say. Tweet
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Of course.no one would argue this.Uniteds kids are worldclass players.rooney is far better than Adebayor,whiles tevez(23) already a legend in South America is also way better than van persie.Diaby is almost as good as Nani.they are both good shooters of the ball,but i believe Nani is slightly ahead.He was terific against Roma.i dont think Diaby can thrive in CL game against a team lyk Roma.Fabregas is the only one above a united player(Anderson).But Anderson is gonna be better than him.Aderson has so many qualities that Fab. dont have.Anderson is very skillful.Trust me.Hes only not shown it yet.Got great pace,Hes the millenium falcon.He is an allround player.he can play on the wings and as supporting striker.He can even play in the LB when necessary.Finally none of their players can match up to Ronaldo.Now we only need to get Jovetic & Veloso, and the difference would be clear.
Do not be surprised by a changed utd line up.
I think Fletcher and O'Shea will play a role - to rough up Arsenal a bit - and to chase every ball. Fergie always used the same tactic against Aresenal with Phil Neville etc.
Personally I would prefer to see a line up of:
VDS, Brown, Rio, Vidic, Evra, Ronaldo, Hargreaves, Anderson, Giggs, Rooney, Tevez (with carrick, saha, nani, fletcher, o'shea and pique on the bench)!!!!
We'll win it I think!
Well Fergie, did you do all this homework before buying Bellion, Djemba, and Liam Miller?
Attack,Attack,Attack ... that's must be the mentallity against Arsenal for our 5 young guns.
Arsenal they dont pay 16-17 million for youngsters look at their reserves compared to ours
It's debatable who has the better scouting system.
United have been turning up youngsters fro ever,BUT the difference has been how many came through to paly at the top!
Lately the edge has to be with Wenger's Foreign Legion with the quality and numbers edging Unuited's and LESS money spent!
Even that said they're all french!!
La game avéc passion!
Come On You Reds
Let's be true to ourselves!
The players shouldn't come off the field dissapointed at not playing well!
No van Persie I have to correct!
Hate him anyhow!
Come On You Reds
Off topic.
In a SKY news interview Fergie has come close to admitting he is a closet FC United fan. Reacting to comments made by the Sports Minister on the amount some players get he advised the Minister to go and watch that "United FC" mob (lol)
i think man utd have better squad, because the factor of experienced players is well balanced with the factor of young talented players,, but the balance is lettle bet biased to the side of the youngsters in the case of arsenal squad,,,but at game time you cant predict what will happen between the tow teams
Free Red the Sports Minister is a Utd fan, and he said he comments were ridiculous and should get lost and join the FC lot, so suggesting quite the opposite!
Hey Charbel and Horace,
Manchester United pays because of greatness the world over. Do you get charged the same amount of money as locals when you go on holiday?
Also, Charbel, the difference in the signings is in the ownership of the club. Fergie would never have made the signings he did this summer while the club was a plc.
To the football world, United = money so prize goes up. What do you then do, backout on principle or pay for the player you want?
You guys must use some intelligence when you write or say things.
TMUF, Manchester. Yes I know, that's the 'tongue in cheek' funny bit.