Ferguson ready for United, Manchester City title slog

MANCHESTER - Alex Ferguson predicts a long, hard Premier League title race with champions Manchester City after his Manchester United team opened up a seven-point gap over rivals Chelsea.

Table-toppers United ground out a 1-0 victory over West Ham at Old Trafford thanks to Robin van Persie scoring the fastest goal of the Premier League season to date, after only 33 seconds. It was only the third clean sheet United have kept in domestic football this season and ended a worrying trend of the team having conceded first in nine of their opening 13 league games.

And while it was a far from vintage performance, it was a vital one given that City's victory at Wigan kept the defending champions just one point behind.

"The three points means we're still ahead in the league and, with Chelsea drawing, it draws us away from them a little bit further," said veteran United manager Ferguson. "But City are on our tails. It's going to be a long season. "The importance of winning 1-0 in certain games is your opponents know the resilience is there.

"If you look at some of the really important one-nil we've had, go back to beating Newcastle when they were nine points clear of us (in 1996).  "Our 1-0 that night won us the league. There are important 1-0 victories. We've had many of them."

Given the scarcity of clean sheets for United this term, the fact his side were able to keep West Ham at bay for such a long period gave Ferguson as much pleasure as the large points cushion he enjoys over European champions Chelsea and their new manager Rafael Benitez. "It is particularly hard, when you take the lead after one minute, to keep a clean sheet over the remaining 90-plus minutes, with time added on," said Ferguson. "But in the main I thought we defended very well."

Ferguson paid particular tribute to young Brazilian full-back Rafael and fit-again central defender Chris Smalling, who was starting a game for just the third time this season.

"Chris came into the team and did very well after a few weeks out and Jonny Evans was magnificent," he said. "There were a lot of plus points tonight, particularly with the defending because you have to against West Ham because they are such a handful. We had to be at our best for the whole 90 minutes. "Rafael is maturing; he's 22 years of age now. He came here as a young boy, he was in the first team at 17-18, and made a lot of rash mistakes because he was such an enthusiastic boy. He is maturing and learning now."

Van Persie now has nine goals in just 12 league starts this term and Alan Shearer and Cristiano Ronaldo's joint record for a 38-match Premier League season -- 31 goals -- will be under threat if he maintains this form.

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce certainly believes that, whether van Persie sets records or not, his goals could see United to the title.

"He's going to score 20-odd, maybe 30 goals," he said. "In the end, that's normally the difference, if you sort your defensive side out.

"It's not so long ago, a couple of seasons that Man United went 14 games without conceding a goal and that won them the league.

"Van Persie is a quality player, no doubt about that, though we kept him quiet tonight.

"United have got lots of players who will have good spells, lot of players who will come up trumps, and that's what makes them so good."

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Alan Hansen: Carling Cup derby presents real dilemma for under-performing United

Sir Alex Ferguson definitely made a mistake by letting Carlos Tévez leave Manchester United last summer.

But the same will not be said of Roberto Mancini if he manages to get rid of Robinho.

The contrast between the two players is vast, but while Mancini would be well advised to try to offload Robinho before the transfer window closes, his decision to substitute the Brazilian just 51 minutes after putting him on against Everton has merely made it more difficult to sell him.

It was a show of strength by Mancini, a move which will have hammered out the message 'big name, so what?’ to everybody at Manchester City, but it served only to magnify Robinho’s flaws.

At £32.5 million, Robinho has unquestionably been a bad buy. He is a super-deluxe luxury player with all the talent in the world but, when the going gets tough, he just doesn’t want to know.

He was the wrong side of woeful at Tottenham last month and he was just as bad against Everton. The Premier League is the toughest league in the world and opponents will always get stuck in and, quite simply, Robinho can’t hack it.

His performances have been unacceptable, both to his team-mates and his manager. They will have caused strife within the dressing-room because he is City’s highest-paid player, somebody who is earning an absolute fortune, and he just isn’t delivering.

I would sell him as quickly as I could, but City won’t get anywhere near what they paid for him and I don’t see any club out there, certainly not in England, who would want to take him.

Being substituted as a substitute is as bad as it gets, but it could easily have happened to Robinho before now.

Tévez is the polar opposite, though. He does not have Robinho’s ability by any means, but whether you put him on at the start or with 10 minutes to go, he will never give less than 100 per cent.

His recent performances have been terrific and, considering that and Manchester United’s form without him, you have to say that Ferguson was wrong to let him go.

When he writes his memoirs once he has left Old Trafford, if Ferguson is asked whether he was happy to lose Tévez, I think it is certain he will admit that he wanted to keep him.

But when you hear about United’s proposed bond issue and the financial problems facing the club, then maybe the money required to sign Tévez was just too much.

The fact that United invested just over £2 million in total on Michael Owen and Mame Biram Diouf to fill the gap left by Tévez says it all.

Sir Alex hasn’t even looked at players in this transfer window because he has nothing to spend, but he needs reinforcements more than ever because it’s not as though United are 10 points clear of the pack and cruising.

Every other top team in the Premier League has played well this season.

Arsenal, Chelsea, City, Spurs and Aston Villa have all impressed at times, but United have been poor all through, yet they are second in the league. The one thing they have in their favour is that, while they have been bad at times, they have never been quite so bad as City have been at Spurs and Everton.

It is still impossible to call Tuessday’s Carling Cup semi-final between City and United, though. City need a response following the Everton defeat, while United must perform better than they did against Burnley. They may have won, but they were awful again.

There is no doubt that City will be sensing a real opportunity to swing the balance of power in Manchester in their direction. They have the finances to strengthen and improve, while United need to strengthen but don’t have the money.

Sir Alex will know that United will end up with nothing this season if they continue to perform so poorly and that’s why he has a dilemma going into the City game.

Does he go with the kids or does he field his best team to try to spark a return to their best form? Whichever way he goes, there is no guarantee that it will be the right solution.

Gillingham Want Manchester United's Brandy

After struggling down at the lower end of the Coca Cola League One table with an absolutely awful away record, Gillingham manager Mark Stimson is hoping to minimise his woes with a good bit of brandy.

And also a good bit of Febian Brandy, the talented 20-year-old striker on loan at the Gills from Premier League champions Manchester United.

The England under-20 international has formed a formidable partnership with key player Simeon Jackson, the Canada forward currently courting interest from the likes of Blackburn Rovers and Aston Villa, according to various media reports.

The star striking duo have been instrumental in Gillingham's strong home record at the krbs Priestfield stadium, with Brandy having a big impact in his loan spell at the club so far.

He has scored twice in nine league appearances for the struggling Kent club, as well as making several assists for teammate Jackson, and winning numerous penalties.

Febian Brandy is due to return to Old Trafford in the next few days, but Gills boss Stimson hopes he can reach a deal with United manager Sir Alex Ferguson regarding the player.

"We've put a call into Manchester United to see if we can extend the loan," said Stimson, speaking to Kent Online.

"It was a long shot to get him to the club in the beginning and we surprised a few people by bringing him here."

However, the Gillingham supremo also expects there to be competition from other clubs in League One and the Championship for Brandy's signature.

"He's enjoyed his time here and hopefully we can extend it. I would have thought one or two others will be looking at him."

Rio Ferdinand tipped for Manchester United return at Manchester City

Rio Ferdinand is set for a surprise return to action in Manchester United ’s Carling Cup semi-final first leg against local rivals Manchester City , according to a report in The Daily Star this morning.

Ferdinand has not played for Manchester united since the defeat at Liverpool in October due to a back injury that had restricted him for much of 2009.

The 31-year-old central defender has played seven games for in 2009/2010. Ferdinand will be hoping to prove his fitness in the second half of the season to secure a spot in Fabio Capello’s England World Cup squad.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is reportedly hoping to field Ferdinand alongside Nemanja Vidic who has been injured since just prior to the shock home defeat to Leeds in the FA Cup.

The first leg of the Carling Cup semi-final takes place at Manchester City ’s Eastlands ground on Tuesday night.

Alan Hansen’s Premier League Pick: Stoke v Manchester United

Manchester United travel to Stoke this weekend brimming with confidence after impressive victories over both Tottenham and local rivals Man City. The champions really impressed me at White Hart Lane and although they left it very late against City, there’s no doubt they deserved to win the match. Sir Alex Ferguson’s side may miss the guile of Cristiano Ronaldo but they have maintained their competitive winning edge and it’s hard to back against them at the Britannia Stadium.

It’s well worth noting that United won both home and away against Stoke last season without conceding a goal. However, they did not have it all their own way at the Britannia Stadium as an 83rd minute Carlos Tevez goal was all that separated the teams. Sir Alex’s side may have suffered an upset at Burnley earlier in the season but after such impressive performances, it’s hard to imagine they are ripe for another shock defeat.

Wayne Rooney is in the form of his life after scoring 6 goals in his last 6 league games and no side will find him easy to handle. The young striker has been backed up superbly by the form of veteran Ryan Giggs who rolled back the years against Man City last weekend turning Micah Richards inside out with his dribbling ability. The Welshman has already created 24 goal scoring chances for his team-mates this season which is more than any other player and a fantastic testament to his enduring ability in the Premier League.

United goalkeeper Foster gets Ferguson's vote of confidence

LONDON — Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will persevere with Ben Foster despite the goalkeeper's error-strewn start to the season.

The England international's gaffe led to Manchester City's first goal at Old Trafford last weekend before the defending Premier League champions eventually beat their neighbour 4-3.

Despite Tomasz Kuszczak keeping a clean sheet in the League Cup victory over Wolverhampton on Wednesday, Ferguson will have Foster start at Stoke on Saturday and remain his first-choice Premier League goalkeeper while Edwin van der Sar recovers from injury.

"Edwin is still three weeks away," Ferguson said Friday. "It was a good opportunity for Tomasz to play on Wednesday, but Ben will start against Stoke. He's not had a lot of game experience but he'll be OK."

The Red Devils are second in the standings after six matches, three points behind Chelsea, thanks to Michael Owen's stoppage time winner over City.

Ryan Giggs created each of United's four goals to show that he remains a key component in the team at 35.

"The horrible part of being a footballer is that at some stage you are finished with the game," Ferguson said. "It catches us all. When someone like Ryan is playing at the level he is at, he realizes to stay there, he has to prepare himself in the right way.

"He has to look after himself and do the right things. It is not a matter of him defying his age. It is more a case that there is no discernible deterioration in his game at all. It is remarkable."

Chelsea may be protecting a 100 per cent record at Wigan on Saturday, but manager Carlo Ancelotti knows it won't last forever.

"It's very difficult because now the team is doing very well," Ancelotti said Friday. "We have maintained a good control of the injury situation and we have players in good condition and there is a good atmosphere.

"But in football in my experience it's very easy to pass from good to bad situations. It's very difficult to win and maintain a good situation."

Winger Florent Malouda has attributed Chelsea winning six straight games to the play of strikers Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka.

"If you are an opponent and you see Didier and Nicolas are playing against you, you won't feel comfortable," Malouda said. "When they are confident, there is danger all the time for the opposition. And it helps us if the other team focuses too much on those two players as it will create space for the others.

"We have a strong midfield so when you have the pace of Nicolas with the power of Didier, it's good."

Meanwhile both Andrei Arshavin and Theo Walcott should return for Arsenal which plays at Fulham in Saturday's late kickoff.

Arshavin has missed four matches with a groin problem, while Walcott has not played this season due to a side strain as the Gunners have lost twice and fallen nine points behind Chelsea.

"We are very pleased because Arshavin gives us an attacking option that is always very interesting and away from home he's always very efficient as well," manager Arsene Wenger said. "He's a guy who turns up at the right moment and can always create chances or score himself."

Third-placed Liverpool missed out on the title last season in part because of its seven home draws, one of which was against newcomer Hull, which is back at Anfield on Saturday.

"We had difficulties last season with all the draws but now we are able to score goals in the first half," striker Dirk Kuyt said. "It's really important to score as early as possible because then it will be more difficult for them and easier for us.

"Hull are a good team as well but we have to look at our own strengths and we must believe we can beat them."

Level with Liverpool on 12 points are Manchester City, which hosts West Ham on Monday, Aston Villa, which is at Blackburn on Saturday, and Tottenham, which hosts Burnley at the same time.

In Saturday's other matches: Portsmouth, searching for its first point of the season, hosts Everton and Bolton is at Birmingham.

In Sunday's only match, Sunderland hosts Wolverhampton.

December decision time for Van der Sar

Edwin van der Sar has set his usual December deadline to decide whether to extend his Manchester United career.

For three seasons now, the 38-year-old has waited until the depths of winter to determine his fate, which the answer coming up positive each time. And Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed it will be no different this term, even though the Dutchman has apparently already said he wants to continue.

"It has always been the case with Edwin that he has made the decision around the end of December and it will be this same this season too,'' said Ferguson. "There is going to be a time when he decides it is time but he never does anything at this stage of the season.''

In fact, Ferguson is more concerned Van der Sar is available again this season after he suffered two broken fingers in a pre-season game against Bayern Munich in July.

It was originally thought the former Fulham star would be out for two months, but Ferguson has confirmed he will be sidelined for another three weeks, meaning the first time he will be available is the encounter with Bolton on October 17.

In theory, Van der Sar's continued absence left Ferguson with a selection dilemma for the trip to Stoke.

Poland international Tomasz Kuszczak certainly must have been fancying his chances after keeping a clean sheet against Wolves on Wednesday, just three days after Ben Foster's dismal performance against Manchester City.

However, Ferguson has already decided to keep faith with Foster, who he believes will go to the World Cup as England's first-choice keeper.

"Ben will play tomorrow,'' he said. "I didn't have any doubts. We are not worrying about the odd mistake - young players make them all the time -- and he has not have a great deal of game experience. I do not have a problem with the boy."

Alex Ferguson: Best Yet To Come From Manchester United

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has warned his rivals in the Premier League with a defiant claim that the best is yet to come from the champions this season.

United suffered a shock defeat at Burnley early in the season, but have since won six consecutive games in all competitions, causing Ferguson to state that they will only get better as the campaign continues.

"We had a bad start, there's no doubt about that, but the form of the team has been coming on well," Sky Sports report the United manager as saying.

"Our best performance was at White Hart Lane [United won 3-1 against Spurs]. I'm happy with our form now. We have the squad and my only dilemma is who to play.

"Usually October sees us become more consistent and hopefully that will be the case again. The squad is a strong one and my only problem seems to be who to pick for each game."

One player who has impressed in United's recent run is 35-year-old veteran Ryan Giggs, and Ferguson concedes that there is little else he can say to add to the plaudits that have already come the Welshman's way during a long career.

"I don't know what more there is to say about him," the Scotsman added.

"It's not a matter of defying age with him because there has been no deterioration in his game at all – and it's remarkable.

"It's down to how he has lived his life, how he has looked after himself and done the right things and his form is just as good as it was last year."

Sir Alex Ferguson: Owen Hargreaves Is Back For Manchester United

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has confirmed today that midfielder Owen Hargreaves, for so long on the sidelines after major surgery on his right knee, is back in full training ahead of the weekend's trip to Stoke City.

"Owen Hargreaves is back now, and hopefully the boy gets a break and continues his progress without any further mishaps," the United boss told reporters at his Friday press conference.

"It's been long time for the lad and normally when a player has been out that length of time, he's always helped during his rehabilitation by with other players.

"The fact he did it on his own in America under the guidance of the doctor [Richard] Steadman. Then it's not easy, but he's got the determination and the resilience to see it through and he's now back with us.

"I feel that maybe it'll still take us four weeks to get him into the rhythm of training again and get to the point of match play. But I think that hopefully he is on the way back."

Ben Foster will be in goal again for the Red Devils at the Britannia after Ferguson also confirmed that Edwin van der Sar will be absent for at least another three weeks with a broken hand.

Tomasz Kuszczak impressed between the sticks in the League Cup win over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Wednesday night, but Ferguson today revealed that he is sticking with the England international for the visit to the Potteries.

"Edwin is still three weeks away. It was a good opportunity for Tomasz to play on Wednesday, but Ben will play against Stoke," Ferguson explained.

United have no fresh injury concerns ahead of the trip to Stoke, a club for which Ferguson retains the utmost respect.

"Stoke have a good home record, and I'm not surprised how they've started the season at all," he added. "They're a club on the up and they're going to be a force this season."

Manchester United Goalkeeper Edwin Van Der Sar Undecided Over Retirement

Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar has refused to confirm whether he will retire at the end of the season, saying that he will only make his decision in December.

The 38-year-old, who has yet to feature this season due to a broken thumb, admitted that while he felt as fit as ever, the inevitable end of his career was nearing.

“I've said for a few years that it sometimes may be my last season,” Van der Sar said, according to The Daily Mail.

“Six months before my contract with Manchester United ended in December 2006, we extended for one year and so far it has been the same every time.

“I wait each season to see where I stand, if everyone is happy and if I can still get motivated. But I know, because I always get older, it is increasingly likely that this will be my last season.

“In December, it will be clear how it goes. By then, I'll have clarity. It is a horrible dilemma. On the one hand I do not oversleep, I feel as good as a few years ago.”

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has said previously that he did not expect the Dutch 'keeper to continue beyond 2010 - but he may be hoping to be proven wrong, given Ben Foster's recent efforts between the sticks.

Rio Ferdinand concern for Manchester United and England's World Cup plans

Rio Ferdinand, the Manchester United defender, is becoming an increasing worry for manager Sir Alex Ferguson as the club bids to claim a fourth successive Premier League crown.

And Ferguson's fears will no doubt be shared by England as Fabio Capello shapes up his squad before the World Cup finals next summer in South Africa.

Ferdinand, 30, was an unused substitute in Manchester United's 1-0 win over Wolves in the Carling Cup on Wednesday night, but of more concern is the England defender's long term back injury, which caused him to miss the first four games of the season.

His lack of first-team football this season was perhaps to blame for his mistake in the Manchester derby at the weekend, which allowed City striker Craig Bellamy to equalise before Michael Owen’s injury time strike spared the defender's blushes.

Ferdinand missed United's win against Besiktas before the Manchester derby and Ferguson is concerned that the club's key figurehead has started only two successive league games twice since April.

Meanwhile off the pitch Ferdinand is hoping to transfer his talent to the kitchen as a silent partner in a new restaurant venture.

Called Rosso, Italian for red, the eatery will be located in the centre of Manchester.

Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham all advance in Carling Cup

LONDON — Chelsea and Tottenham advanced to the last 16 of the Carling Cup with victories over second-tier opposition, while defending champion Manchester United eliminated Premier League rival Wolverhampton on Wednesday.

Salomon Kalou scored at the start of the second half to clinch Chelsea's 1-0 win over west London neighbor Queens Park Rangers, while Peter Crouch scored a hat trick as Tottenham routed Preston 5-1.

The Red Devils played for an hour with 10 men but Danny Welbeck's second-half strike secured a 1-0 win over Wolves.

Manchester City required captain Kolo Toure's extra time header to oust Fulham 2-1.

At Stamford Bridge, Chelsea's 23rd consecutive unbeaten match equaled a club record as Joe Cole captained the side on his return from nine months out with a knee injury.

Cole set up the winner, slipping the ball through to Kalou in the 52nd minute and the Ivory Coast forward cut inside Mikele Leigertwood on the left clipped in off the post.

"I'm very pleased - I helped to make the goal and I should have scored myself," Cole said. "I'm delighted I wasn't off the pace and I was among the action, but I'm not getting beyond myself. This is a steppingstone for me. I'll keep working hard."

Yuri Zhirkov, who arrived injured from CSKA Moscow in the off-season, made his debut as Carlo Ancelotti made 10 changes from the side that beat Tottenham 3-0 on Sunday.

Tottenham, which beat Chelsea in the 2008 final and reached Wembley Stadium again last season, comfortably dispatched Preston.

Crouch volleyed home Gareth Bale's cross for a 14th-minute opener and Defoe headed in a second in the 37th after Preston goalkeeper Andy Lonergan saved his initial shot.

Crouch found the target again in the 77th after connecting with Aaron Lennon's cross. Chris Brown pulled one back for Preston soon after, but Tom Huddlestone surged forward to set up Robbie Keane's goal and Crouch back-heeled in a fifth.

It was a rare night in Manchester with both United and City playing at home.

United, which beat Tottenham in the March final, had Fabio Da Silva sent off on the half hour when the Brazilian defender bundled over Michael Kightly.

"You can't argue with the red card, but Fabio is only 18 and this experience will help him grow," United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said. "Even before we went down to 10 men, Wolves were a threat on the counterattack, but for the last hour we kept our discipline and that was very pleasing.

"That never-say-die attitude runs through this club and the goal was of magnificent quality."

Welbeck broke the deadlock in the 66th, finishing off a flowing move and tucking his shot comfortably past Marcus Hahnemann.

Despite facing a second-string Fulham, Manchester City manager Mark Hughes named a strong lineup, with just one change from the team that lost 4-3 to United on Sunday.

But Zoltan Gera put Fulham in control of the third-round match in the 34th, picking up a loose ball 30 yards out and hammering a half-volley beyond goalkeeper Shay Given.

City leveled after the break when Gareth Barry headed in Craig Bellamy's corner to send the match into extra time, and Toure met Martin Petrov's inswinging corner to send City through to the competition it last won in 1976.

Everton raced into a 3-0 lead inside 24 minutes at Hull with Ayegbeni Yakubu, making his first start since last November, Jo and Dan Gosling all finding the net. Leon Osman tapped in a fourth from close range in the 57th.

Aston Villa secured its progression past Cardiff after just three minutes when Gabriel Agbonlahor scored for a fourth successive match.

welbeck gives holders victory

At a time when English clubs' recruitment of overseas youngsters is attracting the disapproving attention of FIFA, one of Manchester United's true home-grown talents sent their 10 men into the Carling Cup fourth round with a 1-0 win over Wolves.

Born in Longsight, a long stone's throw from Old Trafford, England Under-21 international Danny Welbeck calmly ensured Wolves were not able to profit from the dismissal of Fabio after just half an hour.

Welbeck finished in fine style after running on to Michael Owen's precise return pass, ensuring the holders' progress to the last 16 was smooth after a largely one-sided contest in which the loss of a player had barely any impact.

As expected, Ferguson changed his entire starting line-up from Sunday's dramatic derby draw with City.

Yet there were still opportunities for Michael Carrick and Nani, who both missed out at the weekend, plus Owen and Tomasz Kuszczak who, in their own individual way, had something to prove.

Owen has now shown his goalscoring instinct remains. Yet, as a 90-minute player he remains a bit of an unknown.

In fairness to the veteran forward, the presence of Federico Macheda and Welbeck alongside him meant he had to do more tracking back than he would normally expect and it was only after United's numbers were reduced that he really came into his own.

Kuszczak must have sensed a Premier League start at Stoke would follow an eye-catching display given Ben Foster's pitiful experience against the Blues, when he was directly responsible for one goal and hardly covered himself in glory with the last.

The Pole benefited from Fabio's departure too, producing a fine fingertip save to deny former United midfielder David Jones with the resultant free-kick.

All in all then, with the contest turning into a keenly-fought affair instead of the sterile stalemate that had gone before, the sending-off was no bad thing, except for poor Fabio, who cut a dejected figure as he made his way off the field.

In truth, the Brazilian could have no complaints.

Put in trouble by Jonny Evans' failure to win an aerial duel with the robust Stefan Maierhofer and Wes Brown over-running the loose ball which momentarily escaped his vision, Fabio looked like getting back to challenge Kightly.

Unluckily, he slipped just at the wrong moment, so in sticking out a despairing arm to prevent Kightly charging clear into the box, he brought the Wolves man down for what was ruled a professional foul.

Owen had United's best chance before the interval but could only turn a header straight at Marcus Hahnemann, who experienced his own Foster moment just before the break when his attempted clearance was charged down by Welbeck.

Fortunately for the veteran American, it bounced to safety.

A surging Welbeck run created an opportunity Darron Gibson should have done more with, and only Nani's poor cross prevented him setting up Carrick after Gary Neville had sent the Portugal wide-man racing forward.

The goal, when it eventually came, just emphasised the gulf in class.

Wolves thought they had the situation under control when Gibson rolled a sideways pass to Carrick 30 yards out.

But within an instant, the England midfielder had created space for Welbeck, whose first time pass was returned in equally promising manner by Owen, who succeeded in providing his young team-mate with an opportunity to run onto the ball, clear of the Wolves defence.

The finish was first-time too. Straight into the bottom corner, as befits a player currently making the graduation from England Under-19 to Under-21 duty and surely destined for even higher honours one day.

Welbeck departed to a standing ovation from United's lowest crowd for four years - which still exceeded 50,000 - for another teenager, Norwegian Joshua King, of whom very big things are expected.

With a bit more composure and a little bit of luck, King might have marked his debut with a goal too, although ultimately one proved to be enough.

Fergie wants family tie in draw Sir Alex Ferguson wants a Carling Cup last 16 meeting with son Darren, manager of Championship side Peterborough. "Peterborough at home," he said. "All the family should be happy with that." "It was a fantastic goal," purred Ferguson over Welbeck's winner. "There was some quality passing involved in the move and he took it really well. It was obviously a difficult job for him, playing with 10 men for so long, but the goal told you everything about the boy's quality. He earned it." Ferguson had no complaints over Fabio's dismissal for hauling down Michael Kightly after the youngster had slipped as he attempted to make a tackle. The Scot was delighted with his side's discipline in possession, which left Wolves chasing shadows for long periods under Kevin Doyle brought a bit of spark late on. But, having changed his entire starting line-up from Sunday's breathtaking win over Manchester City, Ferguson felt vindicated in his selection policy which allowed him to introduce 17-year-old Norwegian Joshua King for his debut, another promising striker to emerge at Old Trafford. "The boy has a really good future," said Ferguson. In fact, with Welbeck, Federico Macheda and Joshua King we have some really good young strikers. It is a long time since we had a group as good as that coming through the club." Wolves boss Mick McCarthy accused his side of showing a lack of belief when they were facing 10 men. "I preferred it when they had 11," said McCarthy. "Manchester United have done it many times before, against clubs who have been in the Premier League far longer than us. "They pick teams off and get to the other end of the pitch by playing through you. We were in the game more before they had a man sent off. But the result was more about us, our confidence and our belief in beating a team with 10 men." Yet McCarthy refused to castigate a team for whom Kightly and former United striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake were returning after extended periods on the sidelines. "We have been in the Premier League for three months," he said. "That doesn't make us a Premier League team. We are a football club that has got itself into the Premier League and for most of the time we have competed. "Manchester United are arguably the best team in Europe. Liverpool have a similar set-up, and Arsenal. We are snotty-nosed kids coming up from the Championship. "Is it a case of us coming up here and having our bellies tickled and for them to say, 'thanks for coming'? I don't like that. But it is part of the learning process."

Man Man Utd See Off Wolves 1 - 0 In League Cup

LONDON (Reuters) - Holders Manchester United overcame the 29th-minute sending-off of Brazilian defender Fabio Da Silva to beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-0 in the third round of the League Cup on Wednesday.

United fielded an entirely changed team from that which beat Manchester City 4-3 on Sunday but the stand-ins proved up to the job and won with a neatly-made goal by Danny Welbeck after 66 minutes.

League leaders Chelsea made it eight wins out of eight in competitive games with a 1-0 win over west London neighbours Queens Park Rangers, Peter Crouch bagged a hat-trick as Tottenham Hotspur won 5-1 at Preston North End and Everton put Phil Brown's future in jeopardy by thrashing Hull City 4-0 away.

Aston Villa beat Cardiff City 1-0 while Manchester City against Fulham went into extra time after they finished level at 1-1.

Manchester United and Chelsea move into Carling Cup fourth round

Danny Welbeck scored the only goal as a 10-man Manchester United kept their Carling Cup defence alive with a 1-0 third round win over Wolverhampton at Old Trafford.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who made 11 changes to the team that defeated Manchester City on Sunday, saw Brazilian defender Fabio Da Silva sent off for a professional foul in the first half at Old Trafford.

Fabio, making only his fifth appearance, slipped as he tried to catch Michael Kightly in the 28th minute and only managed to drag the Wolves winger to the turf as he sprinted clear.

But Michael Owen turned provider with a pass to Welbeck that allowed the young forward to break Wolves' stubborn resistance in the 66th minute.

Ferguson said: "Fabio was unlucky, He slipped and tried to recover and as he tried to recover he brought him down.

"Wolves were a threat on the counter-attack, but for the last hour we kept our discipline and that was very pleasing.

"That never-say-die attitude runs through this club and the goal was magnificent.''

Chelsea extended their winning run under new manager Carlo Ancelotti to eight matches in all competitions as Salomon Kalou's goal earned the Blues a 1-0 win over west London neighbours QPR.

The Blues have triumphed in every game since the Italian took charge and, after a tight first half at the Stamford Bridge, the Premier League leaders took the lead in the 52nd minute when Kalou beat QPR's offside trap and fired past Tom Heaton.

Peter Crouch scored a hat-trick as Tottenham's bid to reach a third successive League Cup final stayed on track with a 5-1 win against Championship promotion chasers Preston.

It was Crouch who opened the scoring in the 14th minute. Then Jermain Defoe increased their advantage in the 37th minute and Crouch notched his second in the 77th minute.

Chris Brown got one back for Preston in the 83rd minute but there was still time for Robbie Keane to add Tottenham's fourth goal three minutes from full-time before Crouch claimed his hat-trick in stoppage time.

Manchester City bounced back from their derby despair with a 2-1 win over Fulham after extra time at Eastlands.

Mark Hughes's team were beaten 4-3 at Manchester United on Sunday and fell behind to Fulham after 34 minutes when Zoltan Gera hit a spectacular half-volley from long range.

But City levelled through England midfielder Gareth Barry, who headed in after a mistake from Fulham goalkeeper David Stockdale, and Kolo Toure nodded the winner in the 111th minute.

Socceroo Lucas Neill has made his debut for Everton in his side's 4-0 thrashing of Hull City by coming off the bench midway through the second half.

Fellow Australian Tim Cahill was an unused substitute for David Moyes' men, who won through thanks to goals from Ayegbeni Yakubu, Jo, Dan Gosling and Leon Osman.

Yakubu was making his first start since November 2008 as the Nigerian continues his comeback from a snapped Achilles and he took just 11 minutes to make his mark, taking Diniyar Bilyaletdinov's pass and curling home.

Jo struck in the 20th minute and Dan Gosling added a third goal four minutes later before Leon Osman's second half strike completed Hull's misery.

Gabriel Agbonlahor's early goal was enough for Aston Villa to see off Cardiff 1-0 at Villa Park.

Villa took the lead in the third minute when Agbonlahor met John Carew's cross with a fine finish.

Which the young Mancunian was clearly pleased with

Michael Owen was instrumental in Welbeck's goal just after the hour mark.

Fabio's sending off after half an hour made it difficult for United

Danny Welbeck celebrates his winner against Wolves

Another young striker, Joshua King, 17, impressed on his debut