Ferguson has welcomed increased security arrangements put in place at the Emirates Stadium after complaining that home fans were allowed too close to the visitors' dugout on his side's last visit.

But while he feels Arsenal fans let themselves down, he accepts United's counterparts are no better when they tackle the Londoners.

One particularly vile song gets a regular airing when Wenger goes into the technical area and Ferguson has pleaded with United's supporters to stop.

"I hope it stops," he said. "There has been a focus on fans' chants, not just towards Arsene Wenger but other managers too.

"It is ridiculous. The police should be doing more.

"When you consider the chants that have been levelled at us about Munich you would think United fans would understand very well the sensitivity of the situation.

"I don't agree with it at all. Hopefully the fans appreciate it comes to me too.

"I would like to think other clubs share the same view as I have in terms of criticism towards the manager. There is enough to admire in our game without denigrating people."

After an internal review, Arsenal will station another three stewards immediately behind the dugout, with an 'ejection squad' standing by to pounce if fans continue to misbehave.

Ferguson is happy at the action, although he does feel the design of the Emirates Stadium is hardly helpful.

"The problem is the fans are right behind you. They are almost in the dugout really," he added.

"It is quite right they have improved the security because last year was pretty unsavoury. In fact, I think it was nasty.

"I can turn myself off from it and concentrate on the game. But I knew what was going on.

"When the stewards tried to intervene they were attacked by some Arsenal fans. They had to remove our stewards from there and bring their own in.

"It should not happen when you build a modern stadium like that. It is too open for my liking.

"It is a weakness in the planning that you don't provide safety for the visiting substitutes and staff."