Manchester United
v Derby County
Tosic to make United debut against Derby?
Manchester United new boy Zoran Tosic could make his
debut in Tuesday night's Carling Cup semi-final against
Derby.
Tosic was unveiled last week following his £8million move from
Partizan Belgrade and Sir Alex Ferguson suggested it would be the
end of February before the 21-year-old was ready to meet the
physical demands of life in England.
But Ferguson appears to have had a change of heart and is
considering naming Tosic in his squad to face the Rams, who hold a
one-goal advantage from the first leg.
Meanwhile, Michael Carrick has confirmed Ryan Giggs remains the
shining example for Manchester United's entire squad to follow. The
veteran midfielder has been little more than a bit-part player this
season, but has shown his class with a fine performance against
Chelsea followed by a big role in the winning goal at Bolton on
Saturday.
''Ryan is as motivated as anyone in the dressing room,'' said
Carrick. ''That is why he has been here for so long and achieved so
much.
Derby boss Nigel Clough is boosted by the return of defenders
Paul Connolly and Jordan Stewart for the tie. Connolly missed the
weekend defeat to QPR due to a one-match ban, while Stewart served
the final game of his three-match suspension but both are set to
return to bolster the Rams' defence.
However, Clough will be without on-loan striker Luke Varney who
is cup-tied after playing for parent club Charlton earlier in the
competition. Defender Martin Albrechtsen returned from a knee
injury to play 90 minutes against QPR and he is set to keep his
place at the back after suffering no ill-effects.
Fellow defender Claude Davis is fit again after a hamstring
injury and is pushing for a place among the substitutes, but
striker Nathan Ellington has picked up a groin injury in training
and misses out.
Clough remains optimistic his side can do the unthinkable and
knock Manchester United out of the competition. The Rams travel to
Old Trafford for their semi-final second leg with a 1-0 lead after
Kris Commons' strike gave them a surprise victory at Pride
Park.
United are now firmly installed as Premier League favourites and
are expected to put Clough's men back in their place, even if Sir
Alex Ferguson fields a weakened side.
Clough remains optimistic, however, and said: ''We are not sure
what side they will put out but we are certainly capable of getting
a result there, whether it be a draw to hang onto the lead or
whatever.
''It is a long, long time since Derby have been to Wembley. That
is the incentive and it should spur everyone on in training. We
have got to look after the lead - so we won't be playing three up
front - but you can't defend for 90 minutes at Old Trafford.
''When we get the opportunity to go forward we have to. We must
have an element of a threat going forward in order to try to get us
a goal. If we could get a goal at any point that would make their
job that much more difficult.''
