Fergie to bring back big guns

MANCHESTER United boss Sir Alex Ferguson expects his younger players to learn from Wednesday's humbling Carling Cup loss to Crystal Palace.

Ferguson apologised to supporters after his side were dumped out in the quarter–finals of the

competition by the npower Championship side, who won 2–1 after extra time at Old Trafford.

Ferguson had made 10 changes for the tie but still started with an experienced side featuring the likes of Dimitar Berbatov, Chris Smalling, Jonny Evans, Park Ji–sung, Antonio Valencia, Fabio and Rafael da Silva.

He introduced prospects Ezekiel Fryers (19), Ravel Morrison (18) and Paul Pogba (18) off the bench and later admitted it had been hard for them to impress in such a game.

A number of rested stars are likely to return as United switch their focus back to Barclays Premier League matters tomorrow. The champions travel to Aston Villa hoping to prevent Manchester City's five–point lead at the top of the table from getting any bigger.

The Da Silva brothers and Berbatov could be doubtful for the weekend after suffering injuries in the Palace clash.