Leeds v United Preview (Carling Cup)

Although our eyes are well and truly on bigger and better things, it`s always interesting to follow our progress in the Carling Cup.

Tonight, we face a fiery test of character over at Elland Road whereby Leeds United will be trying to get one over on us and claim a notable scalp, just like they did in the FA Cup not too long ago.

But with Sir Alex Ferguson clearly focusing on a 20th top flight title win and another challenge for the Champions League, it wouldn`t be too far wrong to place the Carling Cup at the bottom of our list of priorities.

To that effect Sir Alex will play a weakened team but whereas in past years this competition has been used to blood the youngsters the evolution of our current set-up with the youngsters becoming prominent in our Premier League starting eleven there`s every chance that trend could be reversed.

In fact Sir Alex could use this match to give our veterans, in need of match practice, a run-out with the likes of Berbatov, Owen, Carrick, Park and Valencia all starting. There could even be an opportunity for Rio Ferdinand to start against a former club.

But there are several players who are unavailable through injury, the likes of Welbeck, Hernandez, Smalling and Vidic are all not in contention.

But returning to the youngsters thread, a rumour doing the rounds suggests that Sir Alex will, tonight, give a first team debut to Paul Pogba our exciting eighteen year old who is steadily carving out a reputation as being one to watch.

If you`re looking for a form guide when it comes to Unite p laying Leeds in the Carling Cup, the history books show that United have won the four previous encounters the last of which was a 3-2 victory, at Elland Road, in October 2003.

More of the same please, see you in round four!



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