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Manchester United defender John O'Shea believes the Red Devils will not get involved in indiscipline with referees.
The 'respect' issue has come to the fore because of the high-profile incidents involving Chelsea's Ashley Cole and Liverpool's Javier Mascherano.
But O'Shea believes United players will not fall into the same trap as Sir Alex Ferguson has advised them on how to behave.
He said: "The manager has told us to avoid any incidents that may happen.
"We have to get on with it and leave the referee alone. That is his experience.
Very careful
"I think we all realised during the week that it was - with the Ashley Cole incident - you had to be very careful.
"The referees were probably thinking in their own minds that this was a good time to get the attention on the so-called lack of respect. The majority of players do give respect though."
Ferguson himself believes United do show referees respect, saying: "Our discipline record is very good, one of the best in the country. I feel we are a fair team."
The Red Devils face Aston Villa at Old Trafford on Saturday hoping to secure three points to maintain their gallop towards a second successive title.
They could get complacent in thinking they can beat Villa as the visitors have not won in the league at Old Trafford since November 1983 and are currently in poor form.
Challenge
But Ferguson will not let his players slip up and believes any Martin O'Neill side will prove a challenge.
He said: "The great and most interesting thing about Martin is he works with a small squad, maybe 17-18 players.
"He picks the same team every week and it is a testament to their endurance they are still pushing for a Uefa Cup place.
"We will have a job on our hands and I am looking forward to the challenge."
The 'respect' issue has come to the fore because of the high-profile incidents involving Chelsea's Ashley Cole and Liverpool's Javier Mascherano.
But O'Shea believes United players will not fall into the same trap as Sir Alex Ferguson has advised them on how to behave.
He said: "The manager has told us to avoid any incidents that may happen.
"We have to get on with it and leave the referee alone. That is his experience.
Very careful
"I think we all realised during the week that it was - with the Ashley Cole incident - you had to be very careful.
"The referees were probably thinking in their own minds that this was a good time to get the attention on the so-called lack of respect. The majority of players do give respect though."
Ferguson himself believes United do show referees respect, saying: "Our discipline record is very good, one of the best in the country. I feel we are a fair team."
The Red Devils face Aston Villa at Old Trafford on Saturday hoping to secure three points to maintain their gallop towards a second successive title.
They could get complacent in thinking they can beat Villa as the visitors have not won in the league at Old Trafford since November 1983 and are currently in poor form.
Challenge
But Ferguson will not let his players slip up and believes any Martin O'Neill side will prove a challenge.
He said: "The great and most interesting thing about Martin is he works with a small squad, maybe 17-18 players.
"He picks the same team every week and it is a testament to their endurance they are still pushing for a Uefa Cup place.
"We will have a job on our hands and I am looking forward to the challenge."
