Sir Alex's semi-finals (FA Cup)

Sir Alex Ferguson has led Manchester United to an incredible 10 FA Cup semi-finals.

In the first eight, he took the side through to the final. The only defeat, to Everton two years ago, came in a penalty shoot-out after a fixture pile-up convinced the boss to shuffle his pack.
Ahead of Saturday's eagerly-awaited clash with Manchester City, we take a look at the last-four encounters that have helped the Reds become the competition's most successful side.

Oldham 1990 (Maine Road)Broadcast live to millions around the world, United and the Latics thrilled the masses with a 3-3 draw at Maine Road. Joe Royle's battlers refused to yield and took the game to a replay, where Mark Robins rolled in the winner to set up a Wembley final against Crystal Palace.

Oldham 1994 (Wembley, Maine Road)The Latics again stood in United's way and the season was in danger of collapsing until Mark Hughes crashed home a stupendous
last-gasp volley at Wembley. This was one of United's finest-ever teams, on their way to our first Double, and class showed in the replay with Andrei Kanchelskis unplayable and Bryan Robson repeating his scoring feat of four years earlier.

Crystal Palace 1995 (Villa Park)All four goals were scored by defenders and Gary Pallister, never the most prolific marksman, grabbed two of them as United eased through after a replay. Much of the media attention focused on Roy Keane's sending off for a stamp on Gareth Southgate but the 10 men ensured Palace wouldn't exact revenge for their final defeat five years earlier.

Chelsea 1996 (Villa Park)Ruud Gullit had the Blues fans dreaming of Wembley but Sir Alex's young Reds had other ideas as they took a step closer to another Double. Andy Cole levelled in the second half and, within four minutes, Craig Burley's awful back-pass allowed David Beckham to take centre stage with the winner.

Arsenal 1999 (Villa Park)An all-time classic. After a goalless draw in the first
game, when Roy Keane had a goal wrongly ruled out, the drama unfolded like the scene of a movie. The last ever FA Cup semi-final replay simply had everything. Beckham's sweet strike was cancelled out by Dennis Bergkamp's deflected shot and another Keane red card swung the pendulum in the Gunners' favour. Bergkamp would have changed the course of history had Peter Schmeichel not brilliantly saved his 90th-minute penalty. And then, of course, Ryan Giggs scored the goal of a lifetime.

Arsenal 2004 (Villa Park)There's little doubt Arsene Wenger's team were the dominant force and a win was needed just to keep United's season alive. One newspaper wrote afterwards that "United's fans simply refused to consider defeat" as the Red Army roared the team on at their lucky ground. Paul Scholes hit the winner and another FA Cup was on its way to the Old Trafford trophy room.

Newcastle 2005 (Millennium Stadium) A cracking atmosphere in Cardiff and a convincing win for the Reds as Cristiano Ronaldo hinted at his love of the big stage. The winger was outstanding, setting up two goals and capping a virtuoso display with the decisive fourth. Ruud van Nistelrooy ended an eight-game drought with a brace, one of the assists going to ex-Red Nicky Butt after an errant pass.

Watford 2007 (Villa Park)United had clearly got the hang of this FA Cup semi-final lark as the Hornets were hammered. Wayne Rooney's early opener was cancelled out by Hameur Bouazza but the Reds' R-men really kicked into gear. Ronaldo, Rooney and Kieran Richardson all found the net on a sunny day out in the Midlands.

Everton 2009 (Wembley)The only blot on Sir Alex's last-four record. One of a number of changes, Danny Welbeck, was denied a clear penalty after being fouled by Phil Jagielka and the match went to extra-time. With a winner required, the penalty shoot-out saw Tim Cahill miss for the Toffees but former United no.1 Tim Howard saved from Dimitar Berbatov and Rio Ferdinand to knock Sir Alex's charges out.

Mark Robins is chaired off after his goal against Oldham in 1990

Andrei Kanchelskis helps sink Oldham and earn United a place in the 1994 final

Gary Pallister grapples with Chris Armstrong as United overcome Palace after a replay

Andy Cole challenges for a high ball with Craig Burley as Chelsea are defeated

David Beckham is the centre of attention in the last-ever FA Cup semi-final replay

Sir Alex Ferguson hails the 1-0 victory against Arsenal in 2004

Ruud van Nistelrooy slams past Newcastle's Shay Given in 2005

Kieran Richardson nets as United put Watford to the sword in 2007

Danny Welbeck is denied a clear penalty as United go out to Everton in 2009