Don't look for Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger to sit down for a drink after today's critical showdown between Manchester United and Arsenal.
Ferguson once complained that Wenger -- unlike some other Premier League managers -- declined to socialize after games.
"We get on OK," Wenger said. "When we meet, it's always in a situation of immense tension before a game, or one of immense disappointment or happiness after the game.
"But we have interesting conversations about football without any problem."
They may have a lot to talk about after today.
A victory at Old Trafford would stretch Arsenal's lead over United to 14 points after only 10 games. It could be an insurmountable advantage, particularly since Chelsea holds second place.
"If Manchester United fail, they will be too far out of the fight," said Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, whose team was to face Blackburn on Saturday. "It will be over. If Arsenal lose then it will also be their first test psychologically."
Liverpool owned the 1980s, Man United the 1990s and Arsenal is trying to claim this decade.
"There is always the rivalry between Arsenal and Manchester United and all the talk about the game," Arsenal winger Freddy Ljungberg said. "Manchester United away is one of the games you look forward to for the whole season. It's going to be great fun, that's the way I see it."
United's problem is scoring. The Reds have only nine goals in nine games. Arsenal's Henry has eight, and the team has a Premier league-leading 29.
"Confidence for strikers is a big factor," Ferguson said. "When they score, they don't think they can miss. When they don't, they don't know where the next goal is coming from."
Man United should be near full strength. Defender Rio Ferdinand is back after missing the 0-0 draw at Sparta Prague because of a family funeral. Ferguson is also expected to start striker Cristiano Ronaldo, but Irish midfielder Roy Keane is doubtful with the flu.
Arsenal, undefeated in 49 leagues games, has a few injury problems.
Brazilian midfielder Gilberto Silva is out of the match. Captain Patrick Vieira trained Friday despite an ankle injury, and his physical presence would be missed.
"He will go a step farther tomorrow [Saturday] and I will make a decision on Sunday," Wenger said.
Vieira was sent off in the same fixture last season (a 0-0 draw), aiming a kick at Ruud van Nistelrooy and accusing the Dutchman of diving to get a yellow card.
Van Nistelrooy subsequently hit the crossbar in an injury-time penalty, squandering a chance for victory. The match ended in a brawl, with four Arsenal player suspended and the club fined ?175,000 (US$320,000 000).
Scottish soccer officials met Friday to consider the future of national team manager Berti Vogts.
The German coach appears likely to be dismissed after Scotland picked up just two points from its first three qualifying games for the 2006 World Cup. Last week's 1-1 draw in Moldova left the Scots with virtually no chance of qualifying.
Members of the Scottish Football Association board met for 2 1/2 hours at Hampden Park to discuss Vogts' contract.
Officials declined comment after the meeting. Any decision could come Tuesday when the full 11-member board meets.
Vogts has refused to resign, meaning the SFA would have to negotiate a six-figure payoff package.
Walter Smith, the former Rangers and Everton manager, is considered the favorite to replace Vogts. Gordon Strachan, a star of the Scotland side in the 1980s, is another contender.
Scotland plays Sweden in a friendly next month. Its next World Cup qualifier is in March against group favorite Italy.
Vogts, who led Germany to the Euro 96 title in England, has been in charge of Scotland for 2 1/2 years. But he has had little talent to work with and failed to get the team to this summer's European Championship.
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