Wolves set to visit OT

United have been drawn at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Carling Cup fourth round.

The road to Wembley continues as the Reds welcome Wolves - who United met in the third round en route to the final last year - to Old Trafford during the week commencing Monday 25 October 2010.

The date and kick-off time of the match will be confirmed in due course.

Holders United saw off Scunthorpe in the third round with a 5-2 win that in the end proved comfortable despite the Championship side putting up an impressive show on home turf at Glanford Park.

The draw for the Carling Cup fourth round is as follows:

Newcastle v Arsenal
Birmingham v Brentford
Wigan v Swansea
Aston Villa v Burnley
Leicester v West Brom
United v Wolves
West Ham v Stoke City
Ipswich v Northampton

The price was fright for Berbatov

DIMITAR BERBATOV admits his huge price tag has been a millstone around his neck.

Only now are Manchester United seeing the best of the Bulgarian - two years after his £30.75million move from Spurs.

Berbatov has seven goals in six games this season.

The 29-year-old admitted: "You try not to think about it but sometimes you just can't help it. You start thinking, 'It's a lot of money and what's going to happen if you don't prove good enough for that amount of money or you don't score enough goals?'

"They're always going through my mind and sometimes it can be bad for your concentration and your skills because it distracts you.You start to underestimate your skill which is not good because I know what I can do.

"But every player has periods like this and the main thing is to stay strong because you are going to have dark moments.

"In the end I just say, 'Relax, play. You're playing for the biggest club in the world' - nobody can say anything else."

Owen Hargreaves set for comeback

ALEX FERGUSON has hinted Owen Hargreaves could soon be back in the first team reckoning at Manchester United.

The injury-plagued England midfielder has played just one minute of football in the last two years.

He has struggled with a persistant knee problem and was thought to have suffered a setback earlier this year.

But Ferguson has revealed Hargreaves is back in training and looking to build his fitness ahead of a potential return.

The United boss said: "He trained yesterday with the first team and looked very good.

"I was surprised actually how good he was looking. It's an extra string to our bow.

"Bringing him in at this time, after being out for so long, obviously we'll have to monitor him and see how he's going to progress in the next few weeks.

"But it's good to see him back.

"Because he's been out for so long you have to see whether there's going to be a relapse.

"That's the first thing on our mind at the moment but having watched him in training yesterday if he continues that way he's going to give me another selection problem, no question about that."

Ferguson has also confirmed Michael Carrick is on the road to recovery after having an injection in his Achilles.

The Scot added: "Michael started training last week. He had that injection on his Achilles to settle it down.

"It was nothing serious, just one of those niggling little problems you can get with your Achilles, particularly at the start of the season when grounds are firm. But he's fine, he's started training."

Owen savours cup start

Michael Owen conceded that Wednesday's Carling Cup win over Scunthorpe was a vital outing for several squad members who have found themselves consigned to the first team periphery this term.

The 30-year-old bagged a brace in United's 5-2 victory at Glanford Park, as he made his first start since August's Community Shield. United's starting line-up contained eight players who had made one or less starts so far this term, and a pepped-up Scunthorpe side provided a valuable test of their fitness and sharpness.

"There are a few of us who haven't been playing a lot this season and needed the game, and Scunthorpe made a real game of it," Owen told MUTV. "They're obviously very fit and they never stopped going forward.

"We scored five goals but they could have scored a few as well. It was a good game. There were a lot of players there tonight that needed that first game; be it players coming back from injury or players who just haven't played, so that was beneficial to us.

"All in all it was a good workout and we're pleased to get through to the next round - especially seeing the other results!"

Owen feels he and a number of other action-starved players have fallen foul of the early-season schedule, but the striker predicts that the onset of cup duties, allied to the bread and butter of the Premier League, will ensure plenty of squad rotation from Sir Alex Ferguson.

"It's been a strange start to the season," said Owen. "We played weekend-weekend-weekend, and then it was international games for two weeks so the manager didn't need to rotate so much. Subsequently, five weeks into the season the manager had kept a similar team.

"We're coming into a period now where the Champions League has started, the League Cup has started and there are Premier League games, so I'm sure there will be a lot more games coming thick and fast now."

Berba: It was a magical day

Dimitar Berbatov took home a big smile and a signed matchball after enjoying arguably his finest hour for United.

"It's a magical day, special for me because I scored a hat-trick and we won against our rivals Liverpool," the Bulgarian beamed on MUTV. "Everybody was happy in the dressing room after the game. I'm happy too and I'm going home with a smile on my face because we won a very important game.

"It's probably one of my best games for United but I don't want it to be my last so I will keep working and hopefully I'll improve on the things I try to do. Today, everything happened for me. I give thanks to my team-mates who supplied me for the goals."

The forward's second goal - a stunning overhead kick - is an early contender for goal of the season. But with his back to goal, Dimitar didn't have the best view of it. "Honestly I didn't see it go in, but when I hear the crowd screaming, it was easy to guess what happened. For me, if the ball's in the net, it doesn't matter if it's an overhead kick or a tap-in."

At that stage, the Reds looked certain to enjoy a comfortable win. But two goals from visiting captain Steven Gerrard changed that and two points looked to be slipping away for the third time this season. "This was going through my mind when it was 2-2 but we showed we have good spirit, a fighting spirit and we always fight to the end," he added. "We scored a third goal and we deserved the win.

"Liverpool put up a good performance but I think we deserved it more than them. Let's hope in the future we don't complicate it so much! It's good when you're up 2-0 but even better when you make it 3-0. We'll keep working, we'll keep improving. There is a long way ahead of us but hopefully we'll be on top at the end of the season."

From a noisy afternoon to a quiet night in, Berbatov revealed there would be no big celebrations. "I'm going home to play with my kids," he said. "I am nothing special. Tomorrow is another day and next Sunday we have another game. That's it."

Berba's back on Sunday

Sir Alex isn’t in the habit of giving away too many secrets, but the United boss has confirmed Dimitar Berbatov will play against Liverpool on Sunday.

The Bulgarian has been in fine form this season, netting four goals in five games to silence members of the media who had questioned whether he was cut out to play at Old Trafford.

But the manager has always backed the striker and will put his faith in the 29-year-old again when he sends him out against Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday.

“Not everyone’s questioned him,” Sir Alex reminded the press on Friday morning. “He has a lot of admirers, particularly within this club.

“When we buy a player for a lot of money there’s more focus on them. When they have a bad game they get criticism other players might not get.

“Dimitar’s had some marvellous games for us. I’ve told him he has to dismiss the press. I think he worried about [the headlines sometimes]. But he’s expressed himself this season very well, he’s enjoying his football and he’ll play on Sunday.”

The boss also confirmed “everyone else is fit” and reiterated his belief that United-Liverpool games are still the biggest drawcard on the English football calendar.

“I may sound like a parrot sometimes because I say this time and time again but this is the fixture. And the form in these fixtures fluctuates quite a bit.

“There was a period for about five years [in the late 90s] when we hardly lost and then recently they won a few in a row. We won the last game [in March 2010], so hopefully that swings it back in our favour again.”

Although Liverpool played a Europa League tie on Thursday night, Sir Alex doesn’t expect any sizable advantage from an extra two days’ rest.

“Liverpool rested players on Thursday so it doesn’t really matter. Both teams will be well prepared for the game. We’re looking forward to it.”

Valencia surgery successful

United have confirmed that Antonio Valencia's ankle operation was successful.

The Ecuadorian winger was stretchered off during the Reds' Champions League draw with Rangers on Tuesday after dislocating and fracturing his left ankle.

Valencia is likely to be out of action for a while, but remains in good spirits.

"The operation went well," a club spokesperson told ManUtd.com.

"A plate has been inserted to stabilise the fracture but there is obvious significant ligament damage that follows a dislocation and he will be out for a good portion of the season.

"Contrary to recent reports there has been no official contact from the Ecuadorian national team. Antonio is perfectly fine, very positive and very determined."

Get well soon, Antonio

Antonio Valencia underwent surgery on a fracture and dislocation of his left ankle on Wednesday, the start of the long road to recovery from the horrific injury he suffered against Rangers at Old Trafford.

But team-mate Darren Fletcher says Valencia has the character, determination and mental aptitude to overcome the injury and battle his way back to the standards he reached in an excellent debut campaign for the Reds.

"It was a really bad injury," admitted Fletcher, on the field when Gers defender Kirk Broadfoot's innocuous-looking challenge led to Antonio being stretchered off the field with an injury Sir Alex Ferguson likened to the leg-break Alan Smith suffered at Anfield in 2006.

Flecher added: "He’s a good lad and a strong character. Having just got back from injury at the end of last season, it’s a real blow for him. But he has real determination about him and he works hard. He’ll be back, I’m sure. He’s a top player. He’s been great since he came from Wigan.

"He had a great first season and he was looking to push on this year. That’s why the injury’s a blow. But he has a long future at United and I’m sure he’ll be back as soon as possible."

Valencia's injury capped what was a hugely frustrating night for the Reds all round. But Fletcher says Rangers deserve credit for their defensive organised and dogged resolution not to allow United to break them down.

"I don’t think many teams have played with three centre-halves before," he said. "I think that was the difference. Usually when you play against teams who get men behind the ball they have the extra man in midfield, but Rangers had it in defence and they proved difficult to break down."

I'm living the dream (Nani)

It's not just Manchester-born first-teamers who dreamt of playing for the Reds as youngsters. Portuguese winger Nani has revealed he visited Old Trafford before he joined United and sat in the dressing room daring to dream he would one day earn his own place there.

In an exclusive interview with Inside United, the 23-year-old tells of his trip to M16 as a youngster and looks back on how far he has come since.

"I came with my friend and we did the tour of the museum and the stadium," explains to the monthly magazine, out now. "I remember sitting in the first-team dressing room and both of us saying ‘wow, this is Ronaldo’s place’ and ‘this is where Rooney and Giggs sit'!

"We sat there and said ‘imagine what it would be like to be part of this dressing room one day,’…and then two years later I was here. It was a great feeling when I signed."

Nani talks in-depth about his emergence as one of the key men for United in 2010, and how he is enjoying his football and feels at home in Manchester and at United.

"The life here is very nice," he adds, "but the best things for me are being able to play football every day for such a great club and having the opportunity to win trophies each season.

"I’ve learnt a lot in my time here - I'm older, more experienced and I have more confidence. It's my fourth season at the club and it feels like this is home now."

 

Welbeck makes progress

Danny Welbeck is pleased with his performances on United's pre-season tour of the US and Canada, and says it's the result developing as a player mentally just as much as he has done physically or technically.

The 19-year-old forward shone in United's second tour match against Philadelphia Union this week, and he’s hoping his performances will catch Sir Alex Ferguson's eye.

"I’m really pleased with how the tour has gone for me so far and I’m happy with my performances,” Danny told ManUtd.com.

“I’ve got to keep going and continue to get my fitness up. The game in Philadelphia was a good game for us and a good test of our fitness levels. It was quite open at times but we’re pleased to have got the win.

“My main aim is to be part of the first team set-up this season, but I’m happy to go on loan if the manager wants me to. I just want to keep playing games and improving.”

The Longsight-born striker feels his game has come on in leaps and bounds in recent years.

“I feel like I’ve improved a lot over the last couple of years in particular,” he explains. “I’ve learnt so much during that time, particularly the importance of mental strength on and off  the pitch. I want to keep improving and striving to show everyone what I can do.”

Much of that development is rooted in the exposure to playing alongside experienced professionals like Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes, something Welbeck – like al the other youngsters on the tour – has relished across the Atlantic.

“It’s always good to be away with a few of the older lads because you pick up so much from them every day. You see how they prepare for games, how they rest and how they train.

"The older lads at the club are unbelievable – they have this huge determination to win every single training match, let alone actual games. Just to be around them is a real privilege.”

Smalling hails United welcome

MANCHESTER UNITED new boy ace Chris Smalling has thanked Wes Brown and Jonny Evans for helping him settle in.

Smalling is looking for his second run-out for the club against Philadelphia Union on Wednesday at Lincoln Financial Field.

The former Fulham star played alongside Evans at the back in the 3-1 victory over Celtic on Friday in Toronto.

With Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic both absent, the 20-year-old has the chance to make an early impression on manager Sir Alex Ferguson and the coaching staff.

Smalling said: "The tour has been a really enjoyable experience so far. It was great to meet everyone, initially at Carrington.

"I have spent quite a bit of time with Wes and Jonny, my fellow centre-backs.

"And I have also been chatting to a lot of the younger lads. It is just great to get to know everybody and be part of such a great club. I just want to do my best."

Defensive team-mate Wes Brown said: "Chris is a great lad and has fitted in brilliantly.

"He has been training really well — he looks very fit and sharp. I am sure he will be ready and raring to go for the start of the season."

Nani on course to return

After a summer of injury frustration, Nani is relishing the chance to get back to business having recovered from a broken collarbone.

The Portuguese winger was one of United’s most influential performers during the second half of last season and he was looking forward to taking his good form into the World Cup.

Unfortunately, injury prevented him from featuring in South Africa, but he has since made a good recovery and is ready to return to action for the Reds.

“I started full training with the team a couple of days ago and I feel very good now,” he told reporters at a press conference in Philadelphia.

“My fitness is getting better all the time and I hope to be involved in this week’s games [on Wednesday against Philadelphia Union and Sunday against Kansas City Wizards].

“I’m very much enjoying the tour – it’s a great opportunity for me to get a good pre-season under my belt ahead of the new campaign.”

Berbatov is 'the right player'

Sir Alex Ferguson has reiterated his belief that Dimitar Berbatov is the 'right player' for Manchester United.

Since becoming United's club record signing in 2008, the Bulgarian striker's performances have been heavily scrutinised. However, Berbatov shone in the Reds' opening pre-season victory over Celtic, and Sir Alex insists everyone in the United camp is behind him.

"He got man of the match, and I think he deserved that, no question," Sir Alex told MUTV after Saturday's win over the Bhoys. "His performance was excellent. In the second half he produced some fantastic moments.

"It underlines the one great factor - that class he has. You cannot take that away from him, no matter the crticism. It doesn't come from our camp. When we see that we know we have the right player."

As United continue to be linked with a string of new strikers, Sir Alex gave backing to his current roster of front men and conceded that he has an abundance of attacking options for the new season.

"We are happy with the strikers we have got," he said. "You have to decide what is the best combination. Diouf has got different talents to Macheda and Welbeck. He penetrates, he is quick and aggressive. We have really good talent in the striking department with Hernandez also joining us, so that is a good area and a good future for us."

Berba feeling good

Having scored the opening goal and provided a further pair for Danny Welbeck and Tom Cleverley, it's little wonder Dimitar Berbatov was in chipper mood after United's win over Celtic.

The Bulgarian international looked sharp throughout the opening game of the Reds' pre-season campaign, and he is relishing the start of the season proper.

"It's the first game of pre-season, still too early to judge, but it was a good test of our physical form and technical as well," Dimitar told PA Sport. "I enjoyed the whole game. We have started well with a win. We have a lot of games before the season starts so I think we will be fully prepared."

Although Berbatov and his colleagues are eagerly anticipating the 2010/11 campaign, the Bulgarian admits he is enjoying the nomadic experience of United's pre-season tour.

"When the summer comes you don't stop playing, you play with your friends," he said. "But when you come here you play with your team-mates. The season is starting so it's very exciting. You come to new countries, see new people, play different teams and it's very exciting."

Sir Alex: Players raring to go

United's players were relieved to get back in action against Celtic after almost a fortnight of training ground slog, according to Sir Alex Ferguson.

In order to build a fitness base to withstand the rigours of a full season, the players tread some hard yards under instruction from the fitness and coaching staff.

Having put his squad through their paces, Sir Alex revealed they were straining at the leash ahead of Friday evening's opening US Tour victory over Neil Lennon's Bhoys.

"We try and get the preparation to a point where they want to want to start playing games," the Boss told his post-match press conference. "There was a little bit of boredom in the training yesterday (Thursday). They had seven days at Carrington, four days in Chicago and they were desperate for a game.

"That is the one thing pre-season brings on: the desire to start playing games. No one likes pre-season. It does not matter how good it is. Nobody enjoys it because it is rough and tough. It is the hard bit of the game. Thankfully we are on that route of playing."

United overcame the Hoops through goals from Dimitar Berbatov, Danny Welbeck and Tom Cleverley, and Sir Alex was more than satisfied with the stern test his players overcame.

"The first game is one you want to get out of the road because fitness comes into it, as does the time you give to your players," he said. "I thought we were nearly right. I was pleased some of the performances were good.

"There was a period after Celtic scored they got a bit of dominance over us. That was a period we had to get through. The second goal killed the game. It was a fantastic goal too. A marvellous bit of football from Berbatov.

"Celtic were very competitive. That's been the way when we have played them. There is not a lot in it between the two teams because the Scotland-England thing motivates both sets of players. It was never going to be an easy match."

Hernandez can be 'major influence'

Javier Hernandez has already impressed his new coaches and manager with some outstanding displays at the World Cup – prompting Reds assistant boss Mike Phelan to suggest he can have a “major influence” at Old Trafford.

Hernandez will meet up with his new team-mates on the summer tour of America in time for the match against his former club Chivas in Mexico. And Phelan says everyone at United is looking forward to linking up with the 22-year-old.

"We were quietly pleased with what we saw of Javier at the World Cup,” Phelan told ManUtd.com.

“He’s still on a break after being in South Africa with Mexico, but we’d like to get him on board as quick as we can, so he’ll join us in America. Then hopefully he’ll be a major influence on the team.”

Hernandez’s World Cup performances justified United’s move for the young striker, whose two goals - one of them an unerring finish in their second round 3-1 defeat to Argentina – highlighted his abundant potential.

“We did the deal before the World Cup and that has probably helped us a little bit!” added Phelan. “He has only just begun his career with the national team, but already he is a very influential player for Mexico. He’s young, he’s athletic and he’s as keen as mustard. He’ll be a good addition to what we’ve already got.

"We all hope he hits the ground running and adds to what we think is a good blend of youth and experience in our squad. We just hope it all comes together.”

Hernandez isn’t the only new face in the United ranks this summer. Young centre-half Chris Smalling joined from Fulham in a pre-announced deal and has been training with his new colleagues at Carrington this week. He is another player who has impressed Phelan.

“We’d spoken to Chris a few times before he actually joined us,” said Mike. “He knew he was coming to the club so we kept in close contact with him. He’s with us now and looking forward to the challenge.

"A club this big is brand new for him. But given time and with a bit of patience, I’m sure he’ll do well. The tour will help him settle in and get to know everyone.”

Hargreaves to miss tour

Owen Hargreaves has today been ruled out of United's pre-season tour.

Sir Alex Ferguson told MUTV: "The bad news is that Owen Hargreaves is back in America seeing the specialist. He won't be ready for the start of the season. I don't know when he'll be back."

The midfielder was sidelined between September 2008 and April 2010 and required surgery on both knees but did return to action at the end of last season. He played 45 minutes for the Reserves before making a brief appearance off the bench in the first-team's final away fixture at Sunderland.

There’s plenty of positive news for United fans, though, with the boss confirming three key men should recover from injury in time to line up for the start of the season.

“Antonio Valencia should be okay and Nani should be ready for the start of the season, too. Michael Owen is doing great – he’s doing all his work in the gymnasium every day. I don’t think he’ll be fit to go to America but he should be ready for the start of the season.”

The boss also revealed Rio Ferdinand faces a battle to be fit for the Reds’ first league test, at home to Newcastle United on Monday 16 August, although admitted it will be a race that’s run close.

“It depends on how his progress is over the next few weeks,” he said.

Meanwhile, Brazilian midfielder Anderson remains on track to return from a cruciate knee injury in late September.

“He’s doing fine, he’s working hard, but it will be late September.”

Man United are just FABIANO

LUIS FABIANO hopes to play alongside his dream strike partner Wayne Rooney at Manchester United.

Seville want around £40million for the Brazil hitman - who aims to add to his two-goal World Cup tally in tonight's last-16 clash with Chile.

Fabiano revealed: "Premier League football attracts me and the way United play football attracts me.

"You think about being Wayne Rooney's strike partner and that is very attractive for any striker.

"I've made it clear I will not be signing a new contract with Seville.

"At 29, I now need to join a club where I can start challenging for the highest honours. The choice will come down to Manchester United or AC Milan."

Manchester City striker Robinho has hit six goals in Brazil's last five matches against Chile.

He said: "I've always been lucky against them. I hope that's what happens again."

Michael Owen targets US comeback

A hamstring injury sustained in February's Carling Cup final cut short Michael Owen's first season as a United player. Now, after surgery and months of rehabilitation, the striker says he's looking forward to lacing up his boots on United's pre-season tour.

Speaking at the launch of Sky Sports 1&2 on BT Vision, Owen revealed he's nearing full fitness.

"I'll be ready for the start of the season, although I might have to miss one or two pre-season games on the American tour," he said.

That news may come as a blow to fans in Toronto, where United kick off pre-season preparations on 16 July, but supporters in Philadelphia, Kansas City, Houston and Guadalajara (Mexico) will be hopeful of seeing Owen in action.

He's certainly making good progress and has worked hard over summer in order to make a full recovery from an injury that turned out far more serious than first thought.

"Basically, I tore my hamstring. It came apart. I had surgery to tie it back together and at this stage I'm not sprinting but I am kicking balls."

Pair become United players

Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez and Chris Smalling are officially United players from today (1 July).

The two new boys initially agreed deals to join the club during the last season, and their contracts are now effective.

United fans have been excited by Chicharito’s promising displays at the 2010 World Cup. The talented striker hit two goals in four games for Mexico, including a superb late effort in his side’s last-16 defeat to Argentina at the weekend.

Chicharito is determined to succeed at Old Trafford. "My expectations are to do the best I can personally, to work, to learn, and to win many trophies," the 22-year-old said when the deal was first announced – to near-universal surprise – in April.

Defender Smalling, who played 18 times for Fulham last season, agreed terms on a four-year deal in January. The 20-year-old will link up with his new team-mates at Carrington next week as those players not involved in the World Cup return to training.

Chicharito will be given some time off after his exploits in South Africa and will meet his new team-mates for the first time during July's trip to the USA, Canada and Mexico.

Reds fans will likely get their first glimpse of the duo during the tour, and Sir Alex has confirmed Chicharito will play some part in the friendly against his former club Chivas.