Manchester United will attempt to get over their Derby Day disappointment tonight by getting back on track against Dean Holdsworth’s Aldershot Town in the Carling Cup. It will be a game United’s youngsters and squad players will be expected to win and win heavily.
United have done well in the Carling Cup in recent years winning the competition three times in the last five seasons. It’s a competition which gives our young players first-team experience and gives players coming back from injury and those on the periphery on the squad a chance to put their hand up and show Sir Alex Ferguson what they’ve got.
For Aldershot and their young manager Holdsworth (whom I know well from his time as manager of Redbridge FC) it’s a great chance for them to play against the might of United and impress people. A good performance tonight for the ‘Shots would do their club wonders and could even get them more fans. Being live on Sky Sports as well is a bonus for the League 2 club and it’s a game that no doubt everyone connected with the
United have only ever played Aldershot once and that was at the Recreation Ground way back in 1970 for a League Cup tie back when Sir Matt Busby was in charge. Aldershot’s fans have had a roller-coaster of a ride since then with the original club going out of existence in 1992. The ‘new’ Aldershot has come out of the ashes out of the old club and has done remarkably well, securing 5 promotions in 19 years and is now consolidating itself back as a stable Football League club.
So what can we expect from tonight’s game. What will be the key battles on the pitch?
Ezekiel Fryers v Michael Rankine
Michael Rankine at 26 has already been somewhat of a journeyman in his career so far, having played for 10 clubs already. The powerful forward signed from York City is looking to settle at Aldershot and has been given chances to impress by Holdsworth who believes in his ability.
His marker tonight will be Ezekiel Fryers who impressed in United’s 3-0 win over Leeds at Elland Road in the previous round. The youngster looks elegant on the ball and is a very good reader of the game already. He will no doubt be looking to make most of another first team opportunity.
Michael Carrick v Peter Vincenti
It would be fair to say that Michael Carrick’s days as a first-choice in United’s midfield are well and truly over. It’s not that he’s not good enough to play for the club, it’s just that his best days are past him and there are better midfielders at the club.
That being said, he is still someone who can play his part this season and his experience will help our younger players tonight. He will be trusted to help set up the attacks tonight and will need to track the quick Peter Vincenti tonight who will be looking to make a name for himself tonight
Michael Owen v Darren Jones
Despite signing a new one-year deal in the summer, Michael Owen would have known again that the majority of his first-team starts this year would be coming in the domestic Cup competitions. Tonight he will be leading the line for United, being an old head on a young team’s shoulders.
His marker tonight will be Darren Jones. The game will be the biggest of the Welsh defender’s career and he would love nothing other than to stop one of England’s greatest strikers from scoring a goal tonight. Owen though will be wary of that and will use his knowledge and trickery to outwit him tonight.
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In terms of a prediction for the game, as I stated earlier on in a predictions article, I believe that United will win the game 3-1 with Owen getting on the score-sheet. Aldershot will want to start the game off well and there’s no doubt their fans will make their voices heard early on.
United though will have too much class for Holdsworth’s men and the City defeat will only inspire the players out there to get the job done, regardless whether or not they weren’t part of the squad on Sunday.
By Adam Dennehey @ADennehey87
