ABDOULAYE FAYE today urged Stoke City supporters to make even more noise when champions Manchester United visit the Britannia Stadium tomorrow.

The inspirational City captain stressed that the backing of the fans can play an important part in helping the players to raise their game for such a tough test.

"We feed off this tremendous support," admitted Faye, as the Potters prepared to meet a United side that has won five of its six Barclays Premier League matches so far this season as they set their sights on winning the title for a fourth successive year.

"The incredible atmosphere generated by our fans certainly helps us to raise our game and that was very much the case when we played Chelsea recently because the supporters seemed to have pumped up the volume even more than usual."

C ity's supporters were acclaimed as the loudest in the Premier League last season and Faye hopes they can live up to that reputation in tomorrow's game.

"We're playing the best team in the world, so we want the best supporters in the Premier League to be on song for this big occasion. Hopefully, that will lift us and we can give United a run for their money like we did Chelsea a couple of weeks ago."

United won the corresponding fixture on Boxing Day last season with a late goal from Carlos Tevez and so Faye hopes history won't repeat itself.

"Sir Alex Ferguson claimed that this was where United won the title because they went on a remarkable run after winning at our place," he said. "I know it's early days but we don't want them looking back on another decisive win here."

City have dropped three points in their last two Premier League games by conceding late goals, the first of them being a 2-1 defeat at the hands of leaders Chelsea after Faye had headed the Potters into the lead midway through the first half.

"The late goals we conceded in the Chelsea and Bolton matches really hurt us because I felt we deserved a draw in the first instance and I couldn't honestly see my former club scoring when we played at the Reebok," said the defender.

"It just goes to show that you have to maintain your mental and physical sharpness right until the last kick of the game at this level or you get punished, and no team is better at doing that than the reigning Premier League champions."

*City expect the United match to be a sell-out, although they do still have a very limited number of tickets remaining for tomorrow's game.