After losing one cup tie against West Ham on Sunday, Sir Alex Ferguson knows Manchester United face another one at Sunderland tonight.

United travel to the Stadium of Light for a Premiership summit meeting, knowing Sunderland will be treating the game like a cup tie.

That suits Ferguson and it should serve as an extra incentive to his players as they attempt to put the bitter disappointment of their FA Cup defeat behind them.

Ferguson is still hurting over West Ham's 1-0 win at Old Trafford and the United manager had been desperate to do well in the Cup this season after their absence last year.

He claims his players will be determined to atone for that defeat against Sunderland.

''Sunderland will make it a cup tie and it will be a great atmosphere,'' he said. ''There are terrific supporters up there.

"It's a great stadium, the pitch is good and we're looking forward to it.

''We were a bit unlucky in a lot of senses on Sunday, but in cup football you have to take your chances because there's always that element of surprise about it.

''The players themselves showed how much it hurt them and they didn't enjoy it.

''They fought like hell to get back into the game and I was proud of them in many ways.

''They don't like losing games, particularly important games and particularly in the FA Cup because we all wanted to have a good go this season.

''We hope to bounce back and that's always been the name of the game for us anyway.

''I think the important thing is to make sure we get back to our normal ways.''

United take a 13-point lead over second-placed Sunderland into the game and Ferguson intends to make sure that gap does not decrease. He is mindful that United have won just once in their last seven visits to Wearside.

''We've got to where we are because we deserve to be there and the important thing is to stay there,'' he said.

''Sunderland are pushing for a European place and they will be pleased about that because they have got the resources and they have built the platform on which to get to the very top.''

David Beckham and Paul Scholes hope to recover from the flu to make the trip to the North-East and both trained yesterday.

England defender Wes Brown is available following his one-match ban and Ferguson may leave him out to prolong his break.