Fergie turns to youth for next Cup match

Alex Ferguson will stick to his usual policy of fielding a combination of reserves and youngsters as Manchester United embark on their latest Carling Cup campaign at Crewe tomorrow.

Darren Fletcher, David Bellion and Kieron Richardson have already been guaranteed a starting spot by the United boss, who could recall Tim Howard after his recent first-team exile.

Remarkably for two clubs only 35 miles apart, it is the first competitive meeting between the sides.

Provisional squad: Howard, Ricardo, Spector, Brown, Pique, McShane, O’Shea, Jones, Eagles, Kleberson, Djemba-Djemba, Miller, Richardson, Fletcher, Bellion, Saha, Smith, Rossi, Ebanks-Blake.