That's just the right setting for him to come back to life against us. Both Rio and Vida got pwned by him in recent times.

Sir Alex Ferguson has called on his current crop of forwards to find a ruthless streak.

The Manchester United boss is far from happy with recent lapses at Fulham and Everton, which have seen the Red Devils concede late equalisers.

If they had hung on for the four points they have dropped in the final minutes at Craven Cottage and Goodison Park, United would now be level with champions Chelsea at the top but instead they trail Carlo Ancelotti's men.

Ferguson knows they cannot have any repeat of their recent lapses but rather than blame his defence, the Scot feels his strikers are more culpable.

"To lose two points in added time once is perhaps bad luck, but to do it twice this early in the season is just downright careless and it has to stop," Ferguson said.

The United boss even harked back to his strike-force from his first UEFA Champions League success in 1999.

"I think back to that great quartet of strikers - Dwight Yorke, Andy Cole, Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer - who all had a ruthlessness and concentration that saw them determined to finish off games," he continued.

"It's a quality our present team must acquire and I want the players, both up front and at the back, to reflect on their powers of concentration - or lack of - and work on that aspect of their game."

Ferguson's current quartet of Dimitar Berbatov, Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez and Michael Owen have four league goals between them so far this season.

Sir Alex Ferguson has dashed new Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier's hopes of a reunion with Manchester United striker Michael Owen.

Houllier revealed earlier in the week that he would welcome the opportunity to work with Owen again following their successful time together at Liverpool.

Owen's lack of regular action for United prompted suggestions that the 30-year-old could be on his way to Villa Park in the January transfer window.

However, Red Devils boss Ferguson is not planning to let the forward leave and has reassured Owen he will feature enough this season.

Frustration

"I'm not aware of Gerard wanting him but, anyway, he's wasting his time there," Ferguson told The People.

"I understand Michael's frustration, but Dimitar Berbatov has started the season so well.

"He'll start against Scunthorpe in the Carling Cup and he'll get enough football this season."

Owen has started only five Premier League games for United since moving to Old Trafford in 2009 and has made three substitute appearances this season after playing the opening 45 minutes of the Community Shield.

United new boy Bebe has insisted: “I will be brilliant!”

The striker, who Sir Alex Ferguson shocked the world to sign in a £7.4m swoop this summer, is ready to step into Cristiano Ronaldo’s shoes and become an Old Trafford legend.

Bebe hit back at critics, who were quick to label him a flop after his move from Vitoria de Guimaraes, claiming he will prove to be another Fergie gem.

The 20-year-old made his first appearance for United’s reserves on Thursday – but told fans he will soon live up to his price tag.

“After a couple more games I will be better,” he said. “I have to be fitter because it’s a different type of football in England.

“I am going to be a brilliant player for Manchester United.” Bebe has made a meteoric rise from his humble upbringing to the bright lights of Old Trafford.

"Having represented Portugal in the homeless World Cup, he spent his entire career at third division Estrela Amadora before his move to Guimaraes this summer.

"Ferguson admitted he had never seen him play before signing him, but sanctioned the move on the recommendation of former assistant Carlos Queiroz.

Bebe was left out of United’s first three reserve games of the season, but was included in the 25-man Champions League squad despite mistaken reports he had been omitted.

He added: “I don’t know when I will be ready for the first team. I need to work hard and a lot.

“I don’t know when I will be ready for the first team. I need to work hard and a lot depends on the boss whether he calls me into the team or not.

“Sir Alex has told me he is very happy with me and he wants me to train more and get into the first team.”

Bebe admitted United’s interest – which came just weeks after he had moved to Guimaraes from Estrela da Amadora – and come as a surprise even to him, but said United’s Portuguese and Brazilian contingent had already helped him settle in to life in England.

“I am very happy to be at Old Trafford but the big thing is to work hard so I can play,” said Bebe.

“I have settled in very well with the team but I need to work hard to move up to the first team.

“I can play on both sides, on the left and the right. It doesn’t make any difference which side.

“It was a big surprise for me and for everyone when Manchester United signed me.

“It helps a lot having other players that speak Portuguese – Rafael, Fabio, Nani and Anderson are all my friends. Nani and Anderson help me the most.

“They help me because they speak Portuguese and they have come from abroad and they can help me to help the team.”

ma ci bai

ma ci bai

Sir Alex was bang on in his column for the match programme: "I think there's plenty more to come from the re-energised Dimitar Berbatov this season."

The Reds' number nine rose magnificently to the occasion at Old Trafford on Sunday, slaying the manager's most revered opponents Liverpool with a glorious hat-trick - his first for the club and the first by any United player in this fixture since Stan Pearson in September 1946.

"I'm told it's the first hat-trick for more than 60 years for a United player against Liverpool," said Sir Alex.

"That tells you what a big achievement it is. We're very pleased for him because his form has been excellent.

"There was a lot of criticism of Dimitar in the media last season. It happens when we buy a player for a lot of money and they don't score a hat-trick in every game. That's the way of the world for some players who come here.

"This season he's started off in the right fashion. His pre-season training was very good, he was good on the pre-season tour and he's carried that on. But there's never been any doubt here about the quality of the man, never any doubt. We've seen his quality again today."

Berbatov's second goal, a bicycle kick that was bookended by two headers, was the best example yet of the beauty in the Bulgarian's game. Sir Alex enthused:

"When players try overhead kicks, I don't see many of them come off. But today it did. It was a fantastic strike, catching the underside of the bar. It was a marvellous attempt by him."

Sir Alex Ferguson insists he never doubted Dimitar Berbatov after the striker's hat-trick secured Manchester United a 3-2 victory over arch-rivals Liverpool.

Berbatov has struggled to silence his critics since his 2008 move from Tottenham Hotspur and has endured a mixed first two seasons at Old Trafford.

However, the Bulgarian has hit the ground running this term and his treble against Liverpool took his tally to six goals in five Premier League appearances.

Ferguson understands why Berbatov was a target for the critics and feels the 29-year-old is now starting to believe in himself more.

Quality

"I think that's right in terms of believing in himself," Ferguson told Sky Sports.

"He had a lot of criticism last season from the media and that happens when we buy a player for a lot of money and he's not scoring a hat-trick in every game.

"That's the way of the world for some players who come here.

"This season he's started off in the right fashion. His pre-season training was very good and his pre-season tour was very good.

"He has carried that on and I have never had any doubt about the quality of the man, and you've seen it again today."

United were in danger of throwing away another winning position after Berbatov's opening two goals were cancelled out by Steven Gerrard's brace.

Gerrard scored from the penalty spot and a free-kick before Berbatov headed home John O'Shea's cross six minutes from time.

Ferguson said: "From a game of saying to myself, is it going to be 10 we end up 2-2 and it was a travesty of a scoreline, but a great result at the end of the day.

"They didn't offer anything really and had to depend on decisions from the linesman to get back in the game.

"Edwin (Van der Sar) had not had a save to make and Scholes was controlling the centre of midfield.

"We were looking dangerous up front, with Berbatov and Nani, in particular, and I couldn't see us losing the game."

Dimitar Berbatov celebrated his 'best day' in a Manchester United shirt after scoring a hat-trick against Liverpool.

The Bulgarian has struggled to win over his critics after a mixed couple of seasons at Old Trafford following his big-money arrival from Tottenham Hotspur in 2008.

However, he has endured a fantastic start to this season and his treble in Sunday's 3-2 win over Liverpool made it six goals in five Premier League appearances.

And though the 29-year-old tried to play down his contribution in United's success over their arch-rivals, he acknowledged his happiness after the game.

Nothing special

"It was probably my best day in a United shirt," said Berbatov.

"Obviously I am happy. I am going home with a smile on my face.

"But I am nothing special. I am going home to play with my kids."

If Berbatov's third goal proved decisive, it was his second that will live longest in the memory.

Controlling Nani's right-wing cross on his knee with his back to goal, Berbatov produced an audacious overhead kick that left Pepe Reina rooted to the spot as it arced in via the underside of the bar.

"I never saw the ball go in the back of the net," he admitted. "But when I heard the crowd scream it was easy to guess what had happened.

"It was a good goal, but as long as the ball hits the back of the net it doesn't matter."

Prior to Berbatov's winner, United had let a two-goal lead slip for the third time this season and the forward is hoping for fewer setbacks over the coming weeks.

"It was going through my mind that we had thrown away two-goal leads at Fulham and Everton," admitted Berbatov.

"But we have a fighting spirit and proved it again by scoring the winner. Let us hope in the future we won't complicate it so much."

Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed Rio Ferdinand missed Manchester United's thrilling 3-2 win over Liverpool due to illness.

Ferdinand was expected to retain his place in the United side for Sunday's game after making his comeback from a knee injury against Rangers in midweek.

However, the centre-half was unable to resume his partnership with new captain Nemanja Vidic for the visit of arch-rivals Liverpool.

Jonny Evans started in Ferdinand's absence while veteran winger Ryan Giggs was substituted late on after also complaining of feeling unwell.

United boss Ferguson is now hoping that a bug will not sweep through his squad ahead of Wednesday's Carling Cup tie at Scunthorpe United.

"He was ill at half-time and was feeling really queasy," Ferguson told Sky Sports regarding Giggs, who went straight down the tunnel after being replaced.

"He had a wee bit of a bug and Rio Ferdinand had it last night also.

"Hopefully it's something that's not going to spread."

From a noisy afternoon at Old Trafford to a quiet night in... Berbatov revealed there would be no big celebration for his hat-trick or the victory.

"I'm going home to play with my kids," he said. "I am nothing special. Tomorrow is another day and next Sunday we have another game. That's it."

side question: did Cleverly played against City? dint noticed him pun ( had a brief watch last nite)

Tom Cleverley misses out as he picked up a knock in training.

I think SAF will start Owen for the Carling Cup..

"I understand Michael's frustration, but Dimitar Berbatov has started the season so well.

"He'll start against Scunthorpe in the Carling Cup and he'll get enough football this season."

Patrice Evra admits he felt a mix of delight and relief after United's pulsating 3-2 victory over Liverpool.

Having gone 2-0 ahead at Old Trafford through a Dimitar Berbotov double, the Reds were in complete control of a match they'd dominated.

But lapses in defence - on the back of dropped points at Fulham and Everton having been in pole position to pick up all three - allowed Roy Hodgson's men to draw level.

Thankfully, Berbatov popped up to complete his hat-trick six minutes from time and ensure an important win for United, but while pleased with the result, Evra was equally frustrated at temporarily losing another lead.

"We need to stop this," he told MUTV. "We need to stop making things so nervous - we could have finished the game with a heart attack!

"I think all the fans enjoyed the match, but it's a concern that we let a two-goal lead slip again and it's left me not happy.

"I don't know why we made the job hard - we could have made it much easier for ourselves. A similar thing happened at Everton.

"As I said, I'm happy to win the game, but we've got make sure this kind of thing doesn't happen again."

With United and Liverpool each having endured somewhat stuttering starts to the campaign, a win was vital for both sides even this early in the season.

Evra believes dropped points against the Merseysiders on Sunday would have put a major dent in United's hopes.

"You're playing at Old Trafford and winning 2-0 against Liverpool and then it's 2-2. If you end up drawing the game you can already say 'how are you going to win the league if you draw that type of game?'" explained the Frenchman.

"It was an accident against Fulham, another accident against Everton, but if we'd have done it again, you could say it would make it hard to win the league."

Nemanja Vidic believes Manchester United team-mate Dimitar Berbatov has changed his game this season to become more of a goal threat.

Berbatov has struggled to win over his critics since joining United from Tottenham two years ago, but has enjoyed an impressive start to the season.

A decisive hat-trick in Sunday's 3-2 victory over arch-rivals Liverpool took the Bulgarian's tally to six goals in five Premier League appearances.

New United skipper Vidic says the players never doubted Berbatov's ability and has outlined why he thinks the 29-year-old is becoming more potent in front of goal.

Incredible

"We are all aware how good Dimitar is," said Vidic. "His skills with the ball are incredible.

"The criticism he got last year was because he didn't score many goals.

"This season he is scoring a lot, and important goals too."

Vidic added: "He has learned what he has to do. He has changed his game compared to last season. He is in the box more and is more of a threat.

"Dimitar has always had a great touch and gave us composure, but because he is also going into the box, he is scoring goals.

"That is why he is getting so much credit.

"If he keeps doing that we have a good chance to win the league and for him to gain some personal reward by becoming player of the year."

Nemanja Vidic is confident being Manchester United captain on a regular basis will help him to become a better player.

The Serbian defender had taken on the armband during the early weeks of the season during club captain Gary Neville's quest to return to fitness.

With Neville no longer a regular in the United side, and Ryan Giggs and Rio Ferdinand also not involved in every match, Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed Vidic will remain as skipper this season.

Vidic is happy to accept the responsibility of the captaincy and is confident he can learn from the previous skippers at Old Trafford.

"Being captain will add to my game," said the 28-year-old.

"I am still doing what I did before; doing my best to help the team, but I am also trying to raise my game to play even better.

"It is a big responsibility, but like I said before, Gary, Ryan and Rio have worn the armband over the years and they are the example for all the players.

"When you have people like that around it is very easy."

His United career may not have panned out the way Diego Forlan would have hoped, but the 31-year-old Uruguayan has no regrets. Why should he?

He's enjoyed a sublime career since leaving OT in 2004. Twice top scorer in Spain’s Primera Liga (once at Villarreal; once at current club Atlético Madrid, with whom he won the Europa League and European Super Cup this year), Forlan also won the Golden Ball for best player at the 2010 World Cup. But he still cherishes the memories of his time as a Red, especially two goals at Anfield in 2002…

How do you remember those two goals?
Very clearly. They came at a difficult time for me. I was not playing so much and hardly playing in the big games. I didn’t feel like a footballer. I was training, but not playing. At the start of my time at United I was OK about sitting on the bench or even in the stands, but then I wanted to be playing 90 minutes. That game against Liverpool was one time I played a full game. It was not an easy game to start in and the first half was difficult, I didn’t see much of the ball. Part of me was thinking that I was going to be substituted, but it all changed in the second half. Gary Neville was the first to come up to me after the game as we celebrated. He looked me in the eyes and said, “They’ll never forget you here after that.” I always remember that. I knew there was a big rivalry, but I didn’t fully understand it. I was a guy from Montevideo, how would I? But I began to understand the importance after that, by the reaction of the players and the travelling fans behind the goal. And Gary was right.

You’ve gone on to great success after United. Where do those goals rank in your career?
They’re among the best. It doesn’t get much better than scoring twice for Manchester United at Anfield. I’ve worked hard and been lucky since I left United. I won the Pichichi [Spain’s top goalscorers’ award] twice and the European Golden Boot too. With Uruguay, we reached the semi-final of the World Cup which was fantastic for us. We’re a small country of 3.5 million people. We’re like Wales, Scotland or Ireland. Can you imagine them reaching the semi-finals of the World Cup? But none of those achievements earned me a special song like scoring at Anfield did!

You and Jerzy Dudek both live in Madrid. Have you played against him since or spoken about that game?
No, no, no. I’ve played against him a few times, but not spoken to him. It’s not what you do. He’s a good goalkeeper and person. I don’t think he’d appreciate me reminding him. He’s bigger than me, too!

What do you think about United fans still singing your name?
It’s unbelievable. The first time it happened was just after I left. I wasn’t sure how the fans would be with me because my time at United was not perfect. By 2005, I needed to play every week and feel like a footballer. The gaffer understood that. That’s when I joined Villarreal and that turned out to be a great move. I played every week and scored lots of goals in a good team. I had a great understanding with [Juan Roman] Riquelme. A few months later, I was watching United against Liverpool with my brother at home near Villarreal. And we heard the song [sings]: “He came from Uruguay, he made the Scousers cry.” We just looked at each other as if to say, ‘Are we hearing the same thing?’ He was as happy as me and we smiled for the rest of the game. I try and watch United and I’ll often see games in a hotel somewhere in Spain, waiting to play. Sometimes I hear them sing and the team-mate I am rooming with will say, “What are you smiling for?” Then I’ll explain. They can’t believe United fans still sing my name so long after I left.

You scored again at Anfield last season, for Atlético Madrid…
That was fantastic because it was such an important game, the semi-final of the Europa League. Atléti had not won a trophy since 1996 and we reached the final that night. It was magical for us and the noise was so loud. So many teams lose against Liverpool away. We lost, but I got that away goal and it was enough to send us to the final in Hamburg.

How were Liverpool fans with you, being a former United player?
They booed me every time I touched the ball! I expected that because I used to play for Manchester United and it did not bother me. When I scored, I saw some of their faces. They were not happy. In fact they were very unhappy! But I should also tell you what happened at the end of the game. As we were celebrating in front of the travelling fans, maybe 3,000 people who had come from Madrid, I looked around and saw Liverpool fans clapping us as the stadium emptied. They didn’t need to do that. Most fans would not do that. They’d just been knocked out of a European semi-final, so that showed their class. And the people at Liverpool were very friendly with me – the security, the groundsmen, the officials. They shook my hand and told me that I always seemed to do well at Anfield. It was sad for them, but they were very respectful.

Do you keep in touch with anyone from United?
The gaffer sent me several texts during the World Cup finals. He offered support and encouragement, which I appreciated. He’s always watching, he never misses anything. I also keep in touch with Mike Phelan, coach Rene [Meulensteen] and Martin, the manager’s brother. Players drift apart so I don’t have any contact with the players, but I still have contact with United people.

United play Valencia in the Champions League; what can we expect?
Valencia always give you a difficult game, a real battle. They’re a big club and the Mestalla is a great place to play, but they’ve lost David Villa and David Silva, who both scored against us [Atlético] last year. They lost other important players, but there have been many new signings and Unai Emery knows what he’s doing, he’s a good young coach. He did well at Almeria and he’s doing well with Valencia, sometimes in difficult financial circumstances. United will be favourites, but will need to be careful.

Atlético have started the season brightly. Can we hope to see you in the Champions League at Old Trafford next season?
That would be great. We’ve got a good side, the best I’ve played with in Spain. We won the Europa League and beat Inter in the European Super Cup final last month. We also reached the Spanish Cup final last season. So we’re confident we can reach the Champions League again and do better than last season [Atlético didn’t win a game]. And to play at Old Trafford, that would be another dream. It’s a long time since I scored there…

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As Dimitar Berbatov has admitted, he is not the type of footballer to spend endless hours in the gym.

Nevertheless, the Bulgarian has revealed that hours spent pounding the streets this summer have helped him hit the ground running at the start of what could be a defining season for his career at Manchester United.

Berbatov's match-winning hat-trick against Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday took his tally of goals to seven already this season.

Criticised for not scoring enough goals in his first two years at United, Berbatov looks a different player already this season and revealed that his fitness work of the summer months is now paying off.

Berbatov said: 'I'm just so happy and so confident at the moment.

'I feel like everything I imagine on the pitch will come true and that feels awesome.

'I have worked hard on my fitness. So hard. I'm not a weights guy, I'm sure you can see by my body. But I have been trying even to work on that. I ran six miles every day during the off season. I watched one World Cup match, went for a run. Then watched another and went for another run. This was my routine.'

Having retired from international football last season, Berbatov decided he had to make changes if he was ever to become the player United have wanted him to become since they paid Tottenham more than £30m for him in August 2008.

'I wouldn't say I have felt troubled here at United,' he said.

'I am not troubled. I am lucky. I have loved my time here.

'But I was disappointed with myself that I could not please all the supporters. I have said before the people of Manchester United are the judges and that is the way it should be. It is their team. I am a guest. A privileged guest.

'This crowd at Old Trafford is amazing. The way I feel right now, I'm not tired. I feel alive.

'I have always said I am so lucky to play here.'

Berbatov has been praised highly by United manager Sir Alex Ferguson this season and Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson described his second goal on Sunday as 'genius'.

However, the player himself will not be watching the highlights at home.

He added: 'I can't watch myself. Even when I came off and everyone was applauding I felt so shy. I love it but I don't know how to react to it.'

With United playing in the Carling Cup at Scunthorpe on Wednesday night, Berbatov will not feature again until Sunday's Barlays Premier League game at Bolton.

Defender Patrice Evra has warned that United must stop conceding unnecessary goals.

'We need to stop doing that,' he said.

'We need to stop bringing that nervousness to the situation. We could finish the game with a heart attack.

'It is not easy for the players, the fans or the staff. I am concerned because we conceded two goals again against Liverpool.'

As Berbatov has proven to an old cliche; form is temporary, class is permanent. United's weekend hero did not become a bad player as soon as he arrived in Manchester. He was rattled when things did not go his way and his magical control temporarily abandoned him but he has hit the ground running this season and is on a roll.

IIDM he once conceded 7 goals during his 1st year at City heh.

well, off with the Pool issue. let them be. they have been like that. some of them regarded Rafa as a cult hero and that says a lot.

lets discuss on scunthorpe or this weekend's match?

play kids and fringe players. TBH i dont blame SAF much if we lose..

of course i want us to go further in this competition, and win it for 3rd times consecutively.. but this a real stage for the kids to prove their worth and talent..

---TK---
Rafael-Brown-Smalling-Fabio
Bebe-Gibson-Anderson-Obertan
-Macheda-Hernandez-

Owen and Ferdinand swap with Hernandez and Brown/Smalling to improve their match fitness.

Nani and Rooney on bench as 'insurance policy', if the team fail to deliver.

I would rather have Rio and Smalling at the back.

Definitely Rooney as one of the strikers and didnt SAF promised to play Owen? I rather keep Berba for UCL and BPL.

"I understand Michael's frustration, but Dimitar Berbatov has started the season so well.

"He'll start against Scunthorpe in the Carling Cup and he'll get enough football this season."

He's had his critics during his two seasons at Old Trafford, but Dimitar Berbatov is now receiving the plaudits he richly deserves, according to team-mate Patrice Evra.

A Man of the Match display against Liverpool, which included a superb hat-trick, on the back of an impressive start to the 2010/11 campaign may have finally silenced the doubters who have been circling ever since the striker's record switch to Old Trafford in the summer of 2008.

Evra insists the Bulgarian is a special player whose hard work is finally beginning to pay off.

"Berba has had a hard time here and things haven't been easy for him, but he's working very hard and getting the rewards. I'm very happy for him," the defender told MUTV.

"He didn't just play well against Liverpool, he's done well since the beginning of the season. Everyone knows what a big talent he is and he has shown that this season."

The undoubted highlight of Berbatov's match-winning display on Sunday was his sublime second goal which is already a leading contender for goal of the season. Few players would have had the audacity to attempt such an effort, let alone the talent, and Evra insists the strike was no fluke.

"He shows many touches like this in training so I wasn't surprised by the goal," he insisted. "He is a player who can do a lot of things and score that type of goal; I hope he carries on doing it for the whole season."

Paul Scholes at his majestic best is a sight that's been one of the highlights of United’s season so far. We caught up with United's 35-year-old midfield magician and found that his passion for playing the game is as strong as ever...

You’ve been in the thick of the action so far this season – has the boss said how much you’ll play?
No, he’d never say that to us. I just have to make sure I’m ready when called upon. I work hard every day and prepare as if I’m going to play in every game. I want to be involved as much as I can, but I know I won’t be playing nine or 10 on the trot. There will be times when I won’t be picked, or I’ll be sub, but as long as I prepare mentally and physically for that, I’ll be OK.

You’ve said you prefer criticism to praise. When have you been driven to prove people wrong?
Some people wrote me off when I had my eye problem a few years ago, but that never really bothered me. I was aware people had their doubts, but myself and the medical team here always knew that I’d return to fitness and it would just take a bit of time. We all like to prove people wrong. Some of the players here have taken a lot of stick in the past, but they always come back and show people that they probably shouldn’t have said what they did.

You’ve scored a couple of momentous goals against Sunday’s opponents Liverpool at OT, in 1998 and 2006…
The goal in the Treble season was with my left foot, wasn’t it? I was just surprised that it went in to the top corner! It was a decent strike, but I was also pleased because it sealed the win for us. And the one in 2006 was a nice occasion because it was my 500th game and against Liverpool. It was a scrappy goal, but they all count.

Were you flattered by all the talk of you playing for England again, or was it distracting?
A bit of both, really. I could have done without all the speculation, but it obviously showed I was doing something right at the back end of last season, so it was nice. Maybe when I was younger that type of media talk would have distracted me, but nothing really bothers me too much now.

Anderson has often been touted as your long-term successor. What must he do to fulfil his potential?
Ando is a top midfielder. He’s just coming back to fitness now after a long time out through injury, and he’s starting to look really good in training. He’s such a powerful lad and a great runner; he can pass the ball, and he’s capable of making and scoring goals, which every midfielder wants to do. He just needs to carry on working hard, the way he has done. As long as he does that, there’s no doubt he’ll be a great player for us.

The fan’s question
Which player, past or present, would you love to have played, or play, with? - Nathan17 (via Talking Reds)
If I had to pick someone, it would be Zinedine Zidane. He was a wonderful player to watch, like a Rolls-Royce cruising around the pitch. He scored and made goals, and had a superb touch.

By Opta Sportsdata   Last updated: Tuesday 21st September 2010

Top Shooter   Dimitar Berbatov (Man United)   20

Top Passer   Paul Scholes (Man United)   389

Most Offsides   Dimitar Berbatov (Man United)   8

Passers   Team   Passes   Accuracy

Scholes   Man United   389   90%
Fletcher   Man United   345   86%

Scorers   Team   Goals   Goal/shots

Berbatov   Man United   6   30%

Team   Goals   Shots   On Target   Shot Accuracy   Succ Passes

Man United   14   64   30   47%   2232

ASSISTS   Team   Assists

Nani   Manchester United   4

First Half PL Table       P   W   D   L   F   A   GD   PTS

2   Manchester United   5   4   1   0   6   1   +5   13

Second Half PL Table       P   W   D   L   F   A   GD   PTS

7   Manchester United   5   2   2   1   8   6   +2   8

Manchester United veteran Paul Scholes insists the Premier League giants will not be taking the Carling Cup lightly.

While some clubs use the competition to give their younger players valuable first-team experience, United will be going for the win.

Scholes knows the Carling Cup creates one more chance to play at Wembley and the 35-year-old is keen to win as many trophies as possible.

United take on Scunthorpe at Glanford Park on Wednesday and it remains to be seen whether Sir Alex Ferguson rests his experienced campaigner.

Intensity

"You do get high intensity games in the Carling Cup and maybe in other countries, cup competitions are not as important," said Scholes. "But it is in our nature to want to win every game.

"Winning trophies is all about getting to the later stages of competitions and having big games at the end of them. We want to win this, just as we want to win every other tournament we enter."

Scunthorpe are 15th in the Championship ladder this term and Scholes is expecting a tough clash in North Lincolnshire.

"Scunthorpe are a very good team at home," he said. "Anything can happen at places like that so I just hope we can get through to the next round."

United's Carling Cup triumph last season was landmark victory in the club's history as the Reds retained a cup for the first time ever.

Sir Alex's men begin the defence of their trophy at Scunthorpe United's Glanford Park on Wednesday night and Paul Scholes says the squad have every intention of holding on to it.

"Last year we wanted to win it and it's the same this season," said the midfielder. "That's what you set out to do at the start of the competition.

"You get high intensity games in the Carling Cup. Maybe in other countries, cup competitions are not as important. Here you want to win every game.

"Going to Scunthorpe will be difficult. They are a good team at home and anything can happen at places like that. I hope we can get through this round and hopefully there is a nice Wembley final at the end."

Sir Alex has confirmed that his starting XI in the third round clash will feature a number of the squad's younger players who will gain both experience and much needed minutes on the clock.

"We have a lot of players in the squad and a lot of them need games," added Scholes.

"It's important to keep rotating the squad. It has been going on for 10 years now and it's something players have to get used to. You have 25 players and only 11 can play. We just have to be ready when called upon."

With a bulging mass of talent at his disposal, United's Carling Cup trip to Scunthorpe is a timely tonic for Sir Alex Ferguson.

The United manager can ring wholesale changes to his side as he seeks to placate and educate various action-starved squad members, while commencing another tilt at a competition the Reds have won twice in succession.

"We played a lot of young players last season and they all acquitted themselves well," Sir Alex told ManUtd.com. "We’ll do the same tomorrow at Scunthorpe. A lot of my young players will play. Bebe is training very well. He’ll be involved tomorrow night. Federico Macheda will as well.

"The Carling Cup’s served us well over the last few seasons - it allows me to keep everybody happy in terms of giving people games and we’ve reached the last two finals, which has its obvious advantages. Playing at Wembley and competing for medals on the big stage is terrific for players’ development."

Despite overcoming Aston Villa and Tottenham in the last two finals, the Reds' previous pair of Carling Cup campaigns were curtailed by underdogs. But even those early exits, against Coventry City and Southend United, provided valuable lessons.

"In retrospect, going out in the early rounds – like we did against Coventry and Southend – are good experiences, too, although we’d always prefer to win," admitted Sir Alex.

"I remember when Coventry came to Old Trafford and beat us. Our lads simply forgot it was a cup tie and forgot that the penalty for a poor performance was getting knocked out of the competition. Coventry, on the other hand, were very hungry and you have to say they deserved to win. That was a big lesson and that will help us tomorrow night."