Carling Cup Match Preview: United vs. Wolves

Manchester United take on Wolves tonight at Old Trafford in their bid to secure a third successive League Cup title... United have been known to blood their young rising stars by giving them gametime through this competition & this season promises to be no different... Similar happens to be the case for the club's fringe players - to try & prove their contention for a berth in the regular starting XI...

However, United fans will be anxious to see if injury-plagued midfielder Owen Hargreaves finally makes his highly-anticipated comeback to the squad after missing out on almost two seasons... The English midfielder, whose United career is hanging by a thread at the moment, needs to make a point sooner so as to save his once-fledgling club career... There has been much speculation in the past weeks over Hargreaves's return after his surgeon Dr. Richard Steadman declared him fit to play... He possibly will start on the bench tonight & I hope he plays some part in tonight's game...

Talking of the young stars, reserves captain Magnus Eikrem may finally earn his first start for the club after consistently performing for the last two seasons... The Norwegian midfielder has been an impresive campaigner, especially during last season when Solskjaer's side won the Reserve Premier League... Also, 'Britain's most gifted teenager' Ravel Morrison may be present on the bench after being handed a first-team squad number yesterday...

                                                   Magnus Eikrem

England striker Michael Owen may return to the starting line-up after a ten day groin injury lay-off following the game against Sunderland... The striker has an impressive tally of 7 goals in 9 League Cup appearances & will look to make a statement for a regular spot in the United squad... Also playing upfront will be Italian wonder kid Kiko Macheda besides him...

Supposing Hargreaves is not starting tonight, Anderson will probably take his position in central midfield with Eikrem & Gibson vying for the other spot... Gabriel Obertan is most likely to start on the wings following impressive cameos in the past week, accompanied by Portuguese U-21 winger Bebe...

Speaking of the back four, Fabio Da Silva looks to start ahead of John O'shea at left-back & with Wes Brown seeking more games, will probably play as full-back on the right... In case Jonny Evans isn't fit, he may take up his duty making way for O'shea at right-back... Chris Smalling will start following a strong performance against Bursapor...

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy will possibly field a weaker side tonight since his priority will be to avoid the relegation zone in the league with games against City, United & Arsenal in the upcoming fortnight... As a result, this should be a good outing for United's youngsters aiming for a comfortable win..

My Starting XI: Kuszczak, Brown, Evans, Smalling, Fabio, Obertan, Anderson, Gibson/Eikrem, Bebe/Park, Macheda, Owen

Red Devils Reign, United Again!!!

That's all Folks!

Yours,
CJ