MANCHESTER United have turned up the heat ahead of their FA Cup fourth-round tie against Fulham – by jetting off to a training camp in Qatar.

Manager Sir Alex Ferguson has not travelled with the party but the players are hoping to put Sunday's league setback against Tottenham Hotspur behind them.

United conceded an injury-time equaliser at White Hart Lane that meant, over the course of the weekend, their lead at the top of the table was cut to five points.

The squad's attention has now turned back to the FA Cup and the visit of the Cottagers on Saturday, which will see striker Dimitar Berbatov back at Old Trafford for the first time since leaving.

United defender Phil Jones said: "The FA Cup is a great competition and one we want to win. We want to go as far as we can – it's a competition I've always admired.

"It'll be great to see Berba back at Old Trafford, technically he's a fantastic player.

"Hopefully we can get the result we want and continue to progress in the competition."

United have defended their ticket pricing policy for the match following a complaint by Fulham.

The Londoners were unhappy to discover that some United fans have been able to purchase seats equivalent to those on offer to away supporters £5 cheaper.

As is common practice for FA Cup games, the clubs had agreed a standard price of £45 for home and away fans but United members have been able to buy them at a discounted rate of £40.

Fulham claim they were not informed about it and it is understood they would not have agreed to it had they known.

A United spokesman said: "Fulham fans are paying the same as United fans who are not members. The scheme has existed for around 20 years.

"We're surprised it has come as a surprise to them."

The FA has received a complaint from Fulham and is understand to have written to United for an explanation.

WHILE the current crop at United enjoy the warm weather in foreign climes, highly-rated Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha looks set to join Fergie's Red Devils.

Speculation that the Old Trafford club are poised to sign the exciting 20-year-old winger, who is valued at a reported £15million, has intensified in recent days.

Zaha, who made his England debut last November, is regarded as the most exciting talent in the country outside of the Barclays Premier League.

He revealed in a tweet last year he is an Arsenal fan but, despite reported interest in the player, boss Arsene Wenger insists a move to the Emirates Stadium was not a possibility.

Wenger, at a press conference to preview his side's midweek clash with West Ham, said: "We were never in for Zaha.

"I don't know if he will go to Man United. If he goes to Man United, good luck to him."

There have been reports that United have held discussions with Palace and that further talks between the clubs are planned.

It has also been suggested that United could sign the player and then loan him back to the promotion-chasing Championship club for the remainder of the season.

Zaha has come through the youth system at Palace after joining the club at 12.

His progress has attracted interest from a number of clubs and was underlined by his selection by Roy Hodgson against Sweden two months ago.