Third-round hat-trick hero Peter Crouch should spearhead the Spurs side that tackles Manchester United at Old Trafford in the Carling Cup quarters
PICTURE: GETTY IMAGESFergie set to stick with youngsters against Spurs
SIR ALEX FERGUSON has steadfastedly stood by his fledgling first-teamers on Manchester United's website and vowed to include them in Tuesday evening's live Carling Cup quarter-final clash with Tottenham at Old Trafford.
Six players 22 or under (Danny Welbeck, Federico Macheda, Rafael, Gabriel Obertan, Anderson and Darron Gibson) started last Wednesday's 1-0 Champions League home loss to Besiktas with qualification for the knockout stages already assured.
And, in contrast to the press response to their efforts in the reverse, Fergie definitely reckons they have the requisite quality to prosper at the highest level and have to continue to be tested under pressure to gather the needed experience too.
But bookmakers and punters need to be convinced because plenty of firms have eased their offerings about the Red Devils. Coral are now biggest at 10-11 about them beating Spurs in the match.
Dugout adversary Harry Redknapp has been prepared to play his big guns in previous rounds (Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe started the 5-1 success at Preston when Crouch crashed in a hat-trick and Defoe notched and midfield destroyer Wilson Palacios featured both at Deepdale and in the 2-0 win at the Lane against Everton) so why not at the Theatre of Dreams?
Especially when it is a near-immediate chance to avenge last March's penalty shootout loss at Wembley and that came 12 months after they enjoyed beating Chelsea 2-1 AET in the final.
Unsurprisingly though Betfred, whose owner Fred Done is an avid Manchester United fan, are top-priced 13-5 about the draw and 10-3 about Tottenham. Bet365 also go 13-5 about the stalemate after 90 minutes.
Bottom ofthe Premier League pile Portsmouth host Aston Villa in the second Tuesday last-eight encounter.
Pompey are a standout 13-5 with Coral to bounce back from Saturday's 4-1 thumping by the Red Devils and give new boss Avram Grant a win inhis second game in charge. The Villans are 6-5 with Stan James and Totesport at Fratton Park. The draw is a general 12-5 shot.
Wednesday's live game is Manchester City against Arsenal at Eastlands and Gunners gaffer Arsene Wenger has also pledged to continue to give his fringe players every opportunity because the competition is not one of his priorities.
Betfred are boldest about City, with Mark Hughes expected to send out a strong side, at evens. The draw is 13-5with Sportingbet and Coral are 10-3 about Arsenal whose young guns have a history of sensational goal sprees down the years.
Holders Chelsea go to Blackburn and are a standout 4-7 with Ladbrokes so the layers are clearly not expecting Carlo Ancelotti to take the foot of the the Blues' charge towards all four honours.
The draw at Ewood Park is 3-1 while Rovers are 6-1.
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