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.
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