Wednesday will be a big day for a number of young hopefuls at Old Trafford, as Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is set to field a raw side for their Carling Cup quarter-final with Crystal Palace (United 2/9, draw 5/1, Palace 12/1 in the match betting).
United have managed to get to this stage of the competition with a blend of youth and experience, which has seen them get past the likes of old rivals Leeds United and avoid a potential banana skin against Aldershot Town.
Paul Pogba and Ezekiel Fryers played in both Carling Cup games this term, having impressed in the academy at Old Trafford.
The youngsters have been guided through the tricky games by veterans Ryan Giggs, Michael Owen and Dimitar Berbatov (7/2 first goalscorer), who have also performed well in the competition as they hope to impress Ferguson enough to secure more regular Premier League action.
Another promising name coming through the ranks with the Red Devils is 18-year-old midfielder Ravel Morrison, who was named on the bench for United’s Champions League encounter with Benfica last week.
The playmaker looks to have a bright future ahead of him, after helping United to the FA Youth Cup last term and now the player has a chance to impress at the Theatre of Dreams.
Having avoided an upset against the Shots, it will be Palace’s turn to try and overturn a side who have looked a little uneasy in recent outings.
A draw against Benfica and then a point earned in controversial circumstances with Newcastle United at the weekend added up to a frustrating week for the Premier League champions.
However Palace have not been in the best form of their own, having failed to score in their last three outings.
The Championship side though have proven to be a tough side to break down under manager Dougie Freedman and have done better than expected in the second tier of English football this term.
But with just one win in their last five games, they will have to make some serious improvements, especially in the attacking end of the field, if they want to cause United any problems.
Palace have not won at Old Trafford since 1989 but against what is set to be a relatively inexperienced United side, they should have one of their best chances to cause an upset.
Darren Ambrose (14/1 first goalscorer) is set to return to the starting XI which will be a big boost for the London outfit, in what must look like a mammoth test.
Palace have nothing to lose and will be determined to take their chances if some of the United youngsters freeze on what will be a big night for them.
However, with one or two veterans in the side such as Giggs (5/2 to score anytime), they should be able to guide these promising players through to the Carling Cup semi-finals without too much trouble.
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