Brown urges cup focus

WES BROWN is determined Manchester United’s Carling Cup defence will not stumble at the first hurdle tonight.

United face Wolves at Old Trafford with neither side likely to be anywhere near full strength given the competing demands Sir Alex Ferguson and Mick McCarthy must juggle.

Ferguson has tended to use the competition as a testing ground for his talented youngsters and the measure of their ability was proven last term when United collected the trophy at Wembley, overcoming Tottenham in a penalty shoot–out.

There have been some setbacks though, notably against Coventry at Old Trafford the season before, which Brown is anxious to avoid again.

“We have slipped up on the odd occasion in matches like this,” he said.

“But I know we have a big enough squad now to put out a very strong side against Wolves.

“Just because they might not be as recognisable as the big names doesn’t mean we are any less determined. We don’t like losing in any competition.”


CITY look to bounce back from the derby defeat in a home Carling Cup tie with Fulham.