Fergie sticks to youth policy

Sir Alex Ferguson is convinced his youngsters will benefit from tonight's Carling Cup exposure at Scunthorpe – even if Manchester United end up on the wrong end of a shock.

United head to Glanford Park as cup holders, having beaten Aston Villa in the final at Wembley last season.

As they also defeated Tottenham in the showpiece 12 months earlier, it is clearly a competition Ferguson has begun to like, despite his tendency to use it to give the younger members of his squad a chance to shine.

"The Carling Cup has served us well over the last few seasons," Ferguson said. "It allows me to keep everybody happy in terms of giving them games and reaching the last two finals has obvious advantages.”

There will be some experience in United's line–up tonight, notably Michael Owen, who is expected to make his first start of the season.

And Rio Ferdinand's lack of recent match practice hints at an involvement if he has shaken off the virus which forced him to miss Sunday's 3-2 home victory over Liverpool.

Most interest will surround Bebe, the 20–year–old Portuguese who arrived at Old Trafford in a £7million summer deal.