Wenger - It's strange without Sir Alex

Arsene Wenger says it will be "a bit strange" to face Manchester United without Sir Alex Ferguson at the helm.

The Scot retired at the end of last season after winning 25 major trophies in 26 years at Old Trafford, and was succeeded by former Everton manager David Moyes.

Wenger and Ferguson were rivals on the touchline for 17 years and the Frenchman intends to seek out his old sparring partner at Sunday's game.

"It will be a new [experience], because for the past 17 years it was the case [that we were opponents]. It will be a bit strange," said Wenger.

"I will see him, certainly yes. It's always easier [when you are not direct opponents], it's a bit more peaceful because we don't fight against each other.

"Now we meet each other only at the big managers' meeting to speak about how we can improve football and not how can Manchester United beat Arsenal or how Arsenal can beat Man United. So of course it will be a bit more peaceful and more serene."

Moyes endured a testing start to his Old Trafford tenure but has steadied the ship with an eight-match unbeaten run. Man United are still eight points adrift of Arsenal in the Premier League but Wenger thinks the champions have turned a corner.

"David Moyes has shown great competence at Everton so you need to leave him time to really get a grip on Man United, and he is slowly doing that," he said. "You see it now in the results.

"When a guy has been there for 26 years and goes, it takes time for the guy who comes in. It is very dangerous and difficult for the manager who comes in. For me, Moyes is dealing very well with the situation.

"It is too early to say what the difference is [between Moyes and Ferguson]. Personally I have not played against Man United [under Moyes]. I have seen them on television but it is never the same to play against them."