Darren Fletcher and Manchester United are prepared for Tuesday night's opponents Stoke City to mix the long ball game with playing the ball to feet. The Potters have lost all their encounters with United since retaining their top flight status but Fletcher knows Stoke can also play a bit.
"Stoke can be physical at times," said the Scotland skipper.
"They put long throws and free-kicks into the box and are willing to go direct.
"But that is not to neglect the football players they have. Matthew Etherington and Jermaine Pennant like to get at you and dribble.
"Tuncay and Ricardo Fuller are good, attacking-style players who like the ball at their feet too, so they do have options and can cause problems on the ground."
On their past two trips to Old Trafford, Stoke have conceded nine goals, without scoring once.
The slope that surrounds the perimeter of Old Trafford prevents Rory Delap launching his long throws quite as effectively thus blunting some of their attacking effectiveness.
"Against Stoke, some teams would rather defend the corner than the throw-in," admitted Fletcher.
"But the slope at Old Trafford stops them building up momentum. The pitch is bigger as well so maybe they can't get the throws quite as far into the box.
"It is still a danger but we prepare for it. We do our homework and try to manage it the best way we can."