Pogba primed for Leeds

Sir Alex intends to throw Paul Pogba into the lion's den at Elland Road on Tuesday night as United meet old foes Leeds in the Carling Cup third round.

The Reds are still smarting from the shock FA Cup defeat the Yorkshiremen inflicted at Old Trafford in January 2010 and will aim to avenge that result by blending youth and experience.

French prospect Pogba picked up a slight knock in the Reserves' 2-1 win against Rochdale last Thursday but is in line for his senior debut. Although it promises to be a hostile occasion, Sir Alex has no qualms about fielding the talented midfielder.

"He's got a slight injury," the boss said, speaking at the launch of the club's new partner, Malaysian snack giants Mister Potato. "It's not too bad, though. So he wasn't available for Sunday but he should be able to play on Tuesday and I intend to play him against Leeds United."

Sir Alex also revealed there is no prospect of Pogba being loaned out this season, despite recent reports of interest from Burnley. The teenager could, however, be farmed out in 2012/2013. For now, though, he'll remain at Old Trafford to continue his development.

"It's more difficult to loan a boy of 18 who's come from France," explained the manager.

"We prefer to keep him with us until we find he's mature enough to possibly go on loan. Maybe next year that could be an option but we're definitely expecting him this season to stay with Manchester United."

Report by Adam Marshall

WHAT THE PAPERS SAY: New faces for Leeds

Mark Ogden writes in The Daily Telegraph...

Sir Alex Ferguson has insisted that Dimitar Berbatov will be given an opportunity to contribute this season, yet it appears as though the Carling Cup currently offers the former Tottenham striker his only likely route into the team. Berbatov’s languid and unhurried style of play jars with the free-flowing football being played by United this season, but Ferguson is expected to pair the striker with Federico Macheda and Michael Owen at Leeds. With Chris Smalling ruled out for two weeks with a groin injury, Antonio Valencia is set to play at right-back, with Anders Lindegaard replacing the rested David De Gea in goal. And Ferguson is ready to reward French midfielder Paul Pogba with his first-team debut at Elland Road following the 18 year-old’s impressive performances in United’s FA Youth Cup success last season.

Other newspapers also focus on Pogba, with The Independent rehashing 'the new Patrick Vieira' line and indicating that the Keane twins - Michael and Will - will be both be involved in the squad. It's also claimed Ryan Giggs will bring some experience to the midfield.

Elsewhere, The Daily Star state that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will not be becoming Blackburn Rovers' new manager. The Old Trafford idol is currently doing a great job at title-chasing Molde. A spokesman for the Norwegian club asserted: "He has an agreement for another two-and-a-half years and these years will be spent with Molde."

Welbeck ready to return

Danny Welbeck has revealed he is feeling fit again after returning to training and is ready to make a comeback when called upon by Sir Alex.

The striker started the season in superb form but pulled up with a hamstring problem after scoring in the win against Arsenal at Old Trafford. After making a speedy recovery, the exciting England international is delighted to be pushing for selection again.

"I trained late last week and had a little rest on Sunday before coming back in again on Monday," he told ManUtd.com. "I'm feeling good.

"I don't know the squad yet for Leeds but, if I'm called upon, I'm always prepared to be there as I feel ready. I wouldn't be training if I wasn't."

The trip to Elland Road promises to be a great occasion and Welbeck is looking forward to the match with a great sense of anticipation as he hopes to see other Academy graduates involved.

"These games mean so much to the club and I think bringing the youth through for these matches is always a big positive," he explained. "I hope quite a few of them get a chance to show what they can do. There's a lot of talent at Manchester United and I'm sure, if they get a chance, they'll showcase that talent."

Carrick expects strong Cup side

The Carling Cup has often been used by Sir Alex as an opportunity to blood United’s youth. This season, however, Michael Carrick has joked “the manager might roll out the old boys!” when it comes to selecting a side to take on Leeds United at Elland Road.

That’s how much the landscape has changed at Old Trafford this term. It’s been youth, rather than experience, that has propelled the Reds to a record-breaking start to the season under Sir Alex and, loathe to disrupt a winning formula, the boss may well field an older team against the Yorkshire outfit tonight.

“That’s just how it is,” Carrick said. “The squad is so strong it has tended to be the younger lads that have played in recent weeks and they’ve done really well.

“The team changed for Benfica but the experience that came in was something we have not seen for a while. We are well aware of what Leeds means. [It’s a big game] because of the fans and the rivalry over the years. I am sure the manager will pick a strong team.“

The boss certainly won’t want a repeat of Leeds’ surprise FA Cup win in January 2010. On that day, Leeds, then a League One outfit, sprung one of the biggest shocks of Sir Alex’s reign by beating the Reds 1-0 at Old Trafford.

“That was a bad day for us,” Carrick, who didn’t feature in that match, recalled. “But that’s gone now. We’re looking forward to going there this time. I’m guessing it will be a full house. It will be a nice hot atmosphere.”

United’s no.16, who’s started only two of the Reds’ seven competitive matches this season, will be hoping to sample a packed Elland Road this evening but knows the manager may have other plans for him.

“People get carried away sometimes when you miss a game or two. The manager sees the bigger picture, though. As a player, you just have to trust the manager and when he sees fit to play you.

“It’s frustrating at times but it is proven at the end of the season if you have a trophy. It‘s not like there is a team for this or a team for that: whoever comes in isn’t going to weaken the team in any way. They just offer something different. It is a great option for the manager to have.”

Michael was speaking to ManUtd.com, Press Association, BBC Radio Manchester and Key103.