With hindsight, there was so much smoke, so many mirrors, inside the tea room where players and coaching staff hold their media briefings it was a wonder any of the journalists present managed to find their way out.

But there will be no double-speak, no half-truths surrounding United's preparations for this month's trip to Arsenal in the Carling Cup.

Neither boss Kevin Blackwell, nor any member of his squad for that matter, will consider discussing the third-round tie until after their Championship fixtures against Derby, Coventry and Norwich.

United discovered they had been paired with Arsene Wenger's side just hours before being held to a goalless draw by Cardiff.

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But, revealing Arsenal have been declared strictly off limits, Blackwell revealed the self-imposed news blackout will continue for the foreseeable future.

"I told everyone that I didn't even want to hear the word, Arsenal, mentioned in the dressing room when we were getting ready for the game," Blackwell said.

"I didn't know myself until late on.

"No disrespect, but I wasn't really interested.

"The game against Cardiff was the only thing I was bothered about.

"I don't want to talk about Arsenal. That's not for now.

"We've got Derby next and that's the most important game.

"Then it will be the next one and the one after that.

"I'll talk about Arsenal during the week of the game but not before.

"I told my staff that I didn't want them to mention it or bring it up and the players were the same."

Blackwell's reticence means it is impossible to gauge his reaction when Phil Thompson, charged with selecting away teams from the draw, paired them with the three-time Premier League winners.

If reaching the later stages of the competition does feature among Blackwell's list of priorities this term then he will have cursed the former Liverpool and England defender.

But whatever Blackwell's thoughts, the game provides an opportunity to measure the progress United have made under his leadership given the fact they were beaten 3-0 by Wenger's Wonders at the fourth-round stage last term.

United versus Arsenal has become one of English football's most eventful sagas in recent seasons with the two rivals having met five times in the last three and a half years.

The Londoners hold the upper hand, having won three and drawn one of those meetings, but United have seldom proved compliant opposition and, four years since his last major trophy, Wenger is in desperate need of some silverware.

Meanwhile, Chengdu Blades, drew 1-1 with Beijing Guoan when China's Super League resumed following the Olympics.

Ferencvaros, United's club in Hungary, beat Leányfalu 9-0 in the Hungarian Cup.

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