Bryan Robson: "The cups got a great tradition" (BBC Radio 5 Live)

He also knows what it takes to win at Old Trafford against Alex Ferguson's current side, having got Boro's first victory there for 68 years with a 3-2 scoreline a fortnight ago.

So is there any reason why he should not travel to Manchester for a cup tie on Sunday confident of repeating his side's league win of a fortnight ago?

Ferguson certainly thinks so and has warned his former skipper that his side will not defend as badly as they did two weeks ago.

Dean Gordon scores during Boro's 3-2 league win

Meanwhile Robson and assistant Viv Anderson's have other reasons to be cautious as they return again to their old club.

Former United defender Gary Pallister as well as experienced duo Paul Gascoigne and Robbie Mustoe are all struggling to be fit for the third round clash.

And while Boro have lost both games won since their shock success at Old Trafford, United are beginning to get their act together, particularly at the back.

But Robson will not entertain negative thoughts and believes the game could not have come at a better time.

"This is a good one for us to come back into it," he said. "They don't get any tougher than at Old Trafford in the FA Cup, but everybody is looking forward to it."

Robson knows enough about the way Ferguson works to realise that the United players will not be permitted a repeat of their performance in the league.

"What we learned from the defeat was that the players knew the defensive mistakes they made contributed to the result," Ferguson said.

"I think we would have won the match if we hadn't been so careless in our defending."

Yorke back

Christmas saw two rare clean sheets for United this season and there is good news at the other end of the pitch with the return of striker Dwight Yorke after missing four games.

"He is a wonderful player and it's always good to welcome back players like him," says Ferguson.

David Beckham and Gary Neville are suspended so Paul Scholes is set to drop into midfield with Wes Brown and Philip Neville in contention for the right-back spot.

For Middlesbrough, Gascoigne has a knee injury and Pallister missed out on the defeat at Derby on Monday with a heel problem, while Mustoe is battling to recover from a hamstring strain.

Italian defender Gianluca Festa also misses out through suspension.

Sheff Wed v Norwich

Wednesday are waiting for an all clear from striker Andy Booth, who turned an ankle in the 2-0 defeat at Aston Villa on Monday while Danny Sonner is in contention for a recall.