Micah Richards' second-half header proved enough to give City a narrow win over Reading at Eastlands, with the Blues knowing before kick-off what the prize for victory was going to be.

And Wright-Phillips was so certain of the outcome, he hardly bothered to take any notice.

"I have been down this road so many times and we always get United, so to me it was inevitable," said the England international.

"We found out in the warm-up and it gave us all a laugh because we had all guessed it would happen.

"A few of the lads felt it would have been nice to get them in the final, but we have them in the semi so now we have to cross that bridge when we come to it."

Manager Roberto Mancini insists there is no element of revenge, even though there could be nothing sweeter for City fans to beat the side who hang a banner from their stadium emphasising how much time has passed since their neighbours' last trophy 35 years ago.

Even in Mancini's short time at Eastlands United have recorded four narrow wins over City, including a Carling Cup semi-final triumph last term and their latest meeting in February, which was settled by Wayne Rooney's wonder goal.

"Revenge is the wrong word," said Mancini.

"Every year in football you can meet your opponent, two times minimum, maybe three or four.

"It is a great semi-final and you could see what it meant to the fans at the end.

"We are very close with all the top squads but we need to improve more and maybe next year we will be at the same level.

"But it is important that we played a good game at Old Trafford last time and we have a chance to win, like them."

It was hard to argue with Mancini's point that City deserved to win even though, David Silva apart, his side failed to impress.

However, Reading boss Brian McDermott was still cursing at the final whistle.

"I thought we were going to get at least a draw," he said.

"We pushed Manchester City a long way and if (City striker Carlos) Tevez had beaten five and Silva had produced a piece of magic it would have been a bit different but to lose at a set play was galling.

"You could see what it meant to them the way they celebrated at the end.

"Unfortunately, you are not going to get the semi-final everyone wanted; Manchester United versus Reading."