Spirit of the Age

The Carling Cup game against Leeds takes centre stage today.

Rob Bagchi takes a look at the history between the clubs and ends with a look at the benefits of today's game:

Ferguson, though, has been less partisan, proving by his attendance at the funerals of Leeds's two greatest players, Billy Bremner and John Charles, that his kind of tribalism first pays honour to the tribe of football men. He says he misses Leeds and that a match played in the intimidating atmosphere at Elland Road is a beneficial experience for his young players. Beneficial or not, more than 40 years of festering rivalry should guarantee that even though it is the oft-maligned Carling Cup, it will, at least, be an experience to remember. 

There's a look at the probable team in The Telegraph, Pogba and Berba looking likely to start:

Ferguson has insisted that the former Tottenham striker will be given an opportunity to contribute this season, yet it appears as though the Carling Cup currently offers Berbatov his only likely route into the team.

Berbatov’s languid and unhurried style of play jars with the free-flowing football being played by United this season, but Ferguson is expected to pair the striker with Federico Macheda and Michael Owen at Leeds.

With Chris Smalling ruled out for two weeks with a groin injury, Antonio Valencia is set to play at right-back, with Anders Lindegaard replacing the rested David de Gea in goal.

And Ferguson is ready to reward French midfielder Paul Pogba with his first-team debut at Elland Road following the 18 year-old’s impressive performances in United’s FA Youth Cup success last season.

Ferguson said: “Paul has a slight injury, but it’s not too bad. He wasn’t available for Sunday, but he should be able to play on Tuesday and I intend to play him against Leeds.

The Sun has some quotes from Nani and suggests that in a reversal to the norm, it'll be the older players who get a run out in the Carling Cup:

Nani said: "In my first season, maybe a few players didn't know me."Then they see me play and see skills and goals — and then in the next seasons they started to be more careful."Now it's always the same. As soon as I get the ball, two players... and then I have to be clever and run away from them. I like it.

"I like to be a player who makes others scared."

 The Mirror have quotes from Evra:

“Maybe for the first time, we didn’t control all the game,” he said. “Five wins is a good start, but I always want more. I’m happy to win, but I hope in the next league game against Stoke we create more and not try to rush things.“We gave the ball away too easily. It was like a boxing bout, I give you and you give me back. It was really strange.“It was a great game to watch for the fans, but it’s the first time I’ve played against Chelsea and seen an open game like that.

“I’m happy because there’s a lot of positive things but, if we want to win the league and win every game, we have to perform better than on Sunday.”

Finally, The Mail are on their favourite topic: money.  We've been doing well so our staff are getting a bonus.