It's the Carling Cup quarter-final stage, and Manchester United welcome Tottenham Hotspurs to Old Trafford on Tuesday night.

Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed his intention of sticking with the same side he fielded against Besiktas in their last UCL game, with the exception of one or two changes.
In that game, opportunities were given to six players under the age of 22: Danny Welbeck (then 18), Federico Macheda (18), Rafael (19), Gabriel Obertan (20), Anderson (21) and Darron Gibson (22).
The rest were Ji-Sung Park, Nemanja Vidic, Wes Brown and Gary Neville, with Ben Foster in goal.
Ferguson believes United's second team is capable of getting the job done, and has also said they could do with the experience.

Michael Owen is expected to be on the bench in case the attacking duo of Federico Macheda and Danny Welbeck require a boost.
Anderson will provide strength in midfield, and Ji-Sung Park, who should have overcome his match rustiness by now, will serve as an attacking midfielder. Obertan and Darron Gibson will complete the quartet.
In defense, Gary Neville, Wes Brown, Nemanja Vidic and Rafael are the expected 4, with Ben Foster in goal.
Remains to be seen how effective this team will be against the forces of Tottenham Hotspurs who put up an impressive display in their last Premiership game against Aston Villa.

Tottenham Hotspurs have proven their strength and determination this season with their admirable performance in the EPL. They've had their rough moments, but overall the team has been pretty impressive.
Against United at Old Trafford, Harry Redknapp's men will be looking to keep themselves in the Carling Cup and edge the title-holders out.
In attack, Robbie Keane and Jermain Defoe are expected to start after coming off the bench against Aston Villa in their last EPL game. Peter Crouch is also available.
Midfielder Aaron Lennon is expected to be a key player in this match, as well as Jermaine Jenas. Palacios and Tom Huddlestone are also available, and David Bentley is a very likely starter too. Unfortunately for Spurs, Niko Krancjar is cup-tied and thus cannot play. His skills and aggression in midfield will definitely be missed.
Defenders Vedran Corluka, Assou-Ekoto, Bassong and Michael Dawson are expected starters. Michael Dawson scored the equalizer against Aston Villa last weekend. Gomes should be in goal in the continued absence of Carlo Cudicini.
Tottenham have to make sure they don't under-estimate United's side. True, the Spurs side will be mostly older and more experienced, but in football under-estimating the opponent is always the beginning of the end.
This promises to be a very interesting game.

we cannot lose 3-0 sha

honestly i'll give this to spuds

Crouch hat trick,

HR promised to rotate his squad.

Hey Guys! 'Arry will definitely play some fringe players too, but overall we definitely will play some more experienced players tonite,

Unfortunately Giovani Dos Santos is still injured since the last Carling Cup match, would have loved him to play as his whole attitude and play has been excellent over the last couple of months,

I think Gomes should get a rest also. He gets easily hurt and with no Cudicini, just Ben Alnwick we have.

Pavlyuchenko too might see some playing time, though he seems on the way back to Russia.

Prediction, very smooth, passing, flowing match expected, I think overall we may nick this one, we have more grit unlike last season! ENJOY THE MATCH!!!!!

This is gonna be one HELL OF A TOUGH GAME.

Please, Nairaland. do you have any idea of Manchester united line up? Man united must win this one!!

This is the pick of the round. Tots have suffered alot in the hands of the Scums, they better start proving they can be counted among the big boys.

The Tots will carry the night. For sure, says EYONIGGER.

eyoniggar:

The Tots will carry the night. For sure, says EYONIGGER.

i reject that by fire by force. man united must win this one o. stakes x 2.50

Macheda dropped for Berbatov.  .  .
Rafael dropped for Ritchie de Laet.  .  .
Otherwise, it's the same side that faced Besiktas.

Hm. Lord help United tonight.

Tottenham with their usual side, with Keane and Defoe leading the charge.

Berbatov is a future Man U talent a la Welbeck.

On the bright side, the team will want to justify Sir Alex's faith in them so they will work hard. I hope.

Horrible attempt, Gibson.

Hope Vidic doesn't get a yellow keeping Defoe quiet. The man is in really good form.

Freezing weather out there.

Lawdy, look how Bentley left Ando in the dust there.

Park has done zilch so far. What's wrong with him?
Tottenham creating good chances but messing them up immediately they are created.

United's play is so-so. Nothing impressive yet.

GOAL Darron Gibson!!

Gibson ! Good goal

I'm loving Berbatov in there.
Hez like the grand master, providing sleek, neat passes for everyone, keeping things co-ordinated in the middle, and in front(when hez there).

Spurs are creating really good chances, but so far, United's defense has been up to the task.

Spurs are regretting not being clinical , That's the major difference. Both Defoe and Keane have missed good chances.

Lovely passing game from Spurs.

Go Vidic! Great defending.

Why are there so many slips and give aways ? Is there somein in the air ?
Isn't that Hargreaves beside Rio ?

edoyad:

Spurs are regretting not being clinical , That's the major difference. Both Defoe and Keane have missed good chances.

True that.
Honestly, Spurs are playing a bit better. Their passes are accurate, they make good runs in the middle, but finishing is the problem.
Not that I'm complaining.

Mayn, Vidic is on defending fire tonight!

Yep, that was Hargo. Wonder when he'll be back for good.

Crizz better pray that Vid doesn't go on injury.
If the game continues like this Tots might receive a thrashing.

GOAL GIBSON!!!

This looks like a 4 - 0 game to me

Beautiful finish.

Guess you just might be right, Edoyad.

Gibson's goal was just pretty to behold. Check the curve out!
Berbatov is really doing well with his little sleek passes to the younger dudes. Silent worker.

Vida won't get injured. He is being so great at the back.

Na where Lenon go now ?

Redknapp threw away this game to focus on the league - he will do well to note that Villa did the same last season and fell away badly. . . you cannot intentionally lose games and not get affected.