United and Gunners give youth its chance

Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger stuck to their word by fielding vastly under-strength sides as Manchester United and Arsenal went into Carling Cup combat just six weeks after the infamous "Battle of the Buffet" at Old Trafford.

Though both squads were roughly what have been used in the previous two rounds of the competition, there was a marked difference in experience, heavily weighted in favour of the hosts.

While Phil Neville led out a United side containing eight full internationals, the Gunners contained none, and had just one player over the age of 21 - goalkeeper Manuel Almunia.