Manchester United – Wolverhampton Wanderers

Hello and welcome to our coverage of Manchester United vs Wolves in the Carling Cup third round at Old Trafford.

Team news is out and it's a youthful looking United side. Big news for the home team of course is that Michael Owen has been given only his second competitive start for the Red Devils.

Man Utd: Kuszczak, Neville, Brown, Jonathan Evans, Fabio Da Silva, Welbeck, Carrick, Gibson, Nani, Owen, Macheda. Subs: Amos, Ferdinand, Tosic, Valencia, De Laet, King, Eikrem.

Wolves: Hahnemann, Foley, Berra, Craddock, Elokobi, Kightly, Castillo, Henry, Jones, Ebanks-Blake, Maierhofer. Subs: Ikeme, Keogh, Halford, Milijas, Zubar, Hill, Doyle.

For Wolves, two United old boys start. Sylvan Ebanks-Blake was a prolific striker for United's reserves, forging a hugely successful partnership with Giuseppe Rossi, while David Jones was the reserve team captain.

Wolves won the League Cup in 1974 and 1980 but since playing in the quarter-finals in 1996 they have only reached the fourth round once (2003/04).

United are the defending Carling Cup champions after beating Spurs on penalties at Wembley after a 0-0 draw in March.

The players are out on the pitch and we're just about to get started. Still a strong line-up for the Reds, with 8 full internationals on display. So much for "taking it easy" for the league cup.

And we're off...

United knocking it around early on and Nani finds some early space down the right.

The Portugese winger can't quite find a way through.

Owen will be out to prove he deserves a starting berth after his winner against City on Sun.day

Wolves win an early corner after good work by Kightly.

Near post delivery and Gibson heads away.

United break and Macheda gathers but he can't quite take it on.

Fabio advances and he crosses towards Owen. Craddock clears and Nani has a second go but the Wolves man is up to the challenge again.

The home side knocking it around well early on but Mick McCarthy has promised his side will attack.

Carrick, Nani and Gibson exchange some good one touch passing and Welbeck tries to force his way through but Foley clears his lines.

Carrick's another player who has been out of the first team picture and will be desperate to prove himself to Ferguson.

Kightly looking dangerous down the left for Wolves and he wins a throw-in an advanced position.

The winger was an integral part of Wolves' promtion last season but has been misisng through injury early-on this campaign.

Hahnemann nearly mucked it up there! A let off as he showed too much of the ball to Macheda. he got it back though.

Nani's away down the right but with acres of space he tries to whip it in to Owen.

Poor delivery and Hahnemann collects.

Wolves searching for Maierhofer every time, he's 6 foot 5 inches of powerhouse striker.

Kightly and Ebanks-Blake interchange passes after Gibson gives it away but it's intercepted.

Wolves holding possession now.

Near miss! Ebanks-Blake found some space on the edge of the United area. He unleashes a curling left foot effort just over Kuszczak's bar.

Neville looking a bit more subdued than Sunday- last time i saw him he was galloping up the Old Trafford touchline.

He searches for Macheda and wins a throw.

It's looking a little congested in the middle. Jones, Henry and Castillo closing down impressively.

Brown wins it from Ebanks-Blake, solid there from the United centre back.

United keeping the ball and Nani has shown some goos touches so far. 64% possession with the home side.

Nani works some space but his left foot shot is blocked away by Craddock.

Wolves break now. Kightly paces forward but Brown intercepts.

Ebanks-Blake and Brown having a good battle so far, they'll have taken on each other in training plenty of times when the Wolves striker was at Old Trafford.

United free-kick just inside their own half.

Ginson with a superb ball to Owen but he's not quite got that extra half a yard of pace any more. Wins a throw-in anyway though.

United free-kick in a dangerous area. Nani to take.

Straight into the wall. It's thrown back into Welbeck who turns well inside the area but just can't get it out of his feet.

It was a year ago today that Welbeck made his United debut and he'll be hoping he can celebrate with a goal.

Some space for Owen but the striker is offside.

Reverse ball by Owen to Nani, what a pass. But the winger can't create an end product. A regular criticism of the Portugese international.

Jones escapes through the middle and strikes an effort, but it's directly at Kuszczak.

Not sure where united's defence were there.

United throw deep in the Wolves half, great turn of pace from Welbeck but Owen can't quite get onto his cross.

Jones looking lively for Wolves and he's getting plenty of space with the ball at his feet.

Nani advances again. He lays the ball to Gibson who bends one over.

Nani again with plenty of time but he's struggling to create any clear chances.

It's all United at the moment. Trademark run from Owen but he's wandered offside again.

Kightly breaks straight through.

RED CARD: Fabio's off.

He brought down Kightly clean through on the edge and the young Brazilian receives his marching orders. Free-kick in a dangerous position.

Fabio stillr eceived a standing ovation walking off. Interesting.

Kightly to take.

No, it was all a clever ploy. Jones took it and Kuszczak saves well.

United sub: De Laet on for Macheda.

Wolves corner but Owen is pushed and it's a United free-kick.

Attacker off and defender on, De Laet has slotted in at left back.

Mick McCarthy will be rubbing his hands with glee. Easy decision the red card for the ref. Now Wolves have a great chance but can they capitalise.

Hahnemann takes a risk and is nearly clsoed down by Welbeck, that's the second time the Wolves keeper has looked lazy on the ball.

Great cross by Neville and Owen is unmarked but it's a weak header.

Owen's scored in his last five consecutive Carling Cup outings.

United win the corner but it's wasted.

Fabio's challenge was more like a rugby tackle looking at the replay. A comedy sending off.

Great turn by Nani, he's away again but...you guessed it, no end product.

Neville to Owen and it's smart one touch passing by the ten men of United.

Jones attempts to release Ebanks-Blake but it's over-hit.

Fulham 1-0 up at Man City.

Again Nani makes the space, but his cross is cleared, Carrick fires the resulting ball straight into Craddock.

Foley pickpocketed by Welbeck but his shot isn't going to scare any of the travelling fans.

Elokobi swipes at Nani, free-kick United and he's very lucky to escape without a yellow.

Nothing comes of the free-kick. Wolves need to start pressing a little higher I reckon.

Ebanks-Blake finds some space and he lifts the ball towards Maierhofer. De Laet clears for a corner.

Kightly takes it and Kuszczak flaps but United clear their lines.

Elokobi wins a header against Nani but the United winger's moaning about being pushed. It was a solid header by the left-back.

Terrible error by Gary Neville, sliced a clearance straight to Jones but he slices one of his own directly over. Should have done better.

Nani's on the floor again. the slightest of touches from Berra and he's writhing arounf in agony. He is just trying to fill in for Ronaldo I guess.

Only about 50,000 at Old Trafford tonight, still a massive crowd but that means it's only two thirds full!

Wolves looking a little livelier, Ebanks-Blake can't quite control though.

Half-time whistle goes and it's 0-0, Fabio off and hopefully some goals to come in the second half. Grab a cup of tea and I will see you in 15 minutes...

Welcome back, we're off again at Old Trafford for the second half...

Wolves sub: Milijas on for Castillo

Wolves haven't scored a goal here since 1980 but this has got to be their best chance to change that.

Many of the Wolves fans have come wearing pyjamas, apparently if United aren't winning after 90 minutes, they reckon it could be time to bed down for the night.

Brown covers well with Ebanks-Blake snapping at his heels.

Neville and Welbeck interchange but he over hits the pass. G-Nev hasn't quite got the pace on the burst that he used to.

Owen offside. Again.

Wolves now keeping possession. Though I spoke to soon and United have the ball back.

Scrappy start to the second period and Evans plays a risky ball across his area.

Kightly gallops down the right but Gibson tackles and breaks at pace himself. His tame cross is scooped up by Hahnemann.

Brown winning the battle of wits with Ebanks-Blake so far, another good interception.

Kightly crosses after finding acres. But Brown wins a crucial header and knocks it out for a corner.

Kightly delivers to Berra but he nods it over the bar. Definitely a half chance gone.

Wolves putting the pressure on now. Elokobi crosses into the danger zone and Kuszczak claims positively.

Owen. Offside. Enough said.

Nani with a chance to break past Elokobi but he's brought down and it's a free-kick for obstruction.

Wolves pressing higher up the pitch.

City have equalised at Fulham. Chelsea leading against QPR.

Nani penalised for fouling Elokobi.

Welbeck breaks and shows excellent strength. He tees up Gibson who fires a powerful effort wide of the post.

Nani released again and not for the first time this evening he can't pick anyone out. Corner for United though.

Cleared out but Nani has it back and his second cross is too hard. Maybe time to introduce Valencia soon Sir Alex?

Jones spreads it to Kightly who takes on De Laet.

Neville instigates a break for United and Nani crosses again but it's just over Welbeck.

Wolves stuggling to create chances but they're definitely enjoying more possession now, as you'd expect playing against ten men.

Owen playing at left back at the moment. Ridiculously deep for United's lone striker.

Wolves sub coming as Kevin Doyle warms up.

Ebanks-Blake feeds Henry and Brown makes a remarkable last-ditch tackle.

Wolves corner but Nani breaks now for United.

The winger's cross hits the post. Interesting keeping from Hahnemann.

Wolves sub: Doyle on for Ebanks-Blake.

GOAL! Welbeck

United 1-0 up. Owen with a superb through-ball on the edge and Welbeck powerfully slots home.

United stream forward again with Neville and the tempo has changed now. The volume is rising at Old Trafford.

Nearly a mix-up there between Brown and Kuszczak. Good pressure from Doyle but the Polish keeper clears his lines.

United sub: Valencia on for Owen.

Hats off to Owen, cracking through ball for the goal and Ferguson clearly thinks he's done his bit.

Doyle with a solo run but after getting into some space on the edge he blazes it over.

Good shepherding by Neville.

Valencia with a burst of pace, he releases Welbeck who tees up Gibson but for the third time this evening the Irishman can't get an effective shot away. Good running though.

Kightly and Jones combine well but it's given the ball away again. Carrick does the same and then somehow wins a generous free-kick from the ref.

Brown hoofs it long to Valencia but Elokobi clears.

Jones spreads it to Foley but again Wolves just can't penetrate.

Wolves break now though and Doyle fires one in but it's straight down the throat of Kuszczak.

Nani and De Laet link up well but Nani belts his effort high into the stand.

Even with ten men United are still breaking with pace.

Wolves sub: Keogh on for Kightly.

McCarthy has his first choice strike duo on now, along with the giant Maierhofer.

Keogh fins some space down the right and whips it towardards Maierhofer but too close to the keeper.

Great tackle by De Laet as Keogh would have been away. The youngster at right back has looked good.

Doyle to Elokobi who lifts it back towards the Irishman. His left-foot volley drifts wide but if he'd connected properly, Kuszczak would have been beaten.

Foley with a cross but it's far too deep.

United sub: King for Welbeck.

At only 17 he's a Norwegian lad. Joshua King doesn't sound like the most Norwegian name I could think of though.

Wolves corner after a solid tackle from Neville.

Cleared and Gibson searches for King on the break but he can't turn his man.

Free-kick to Wolves just inside the United half.

Again cleared out and King draws the foul to give United some time to breathe.

Doyle looking lively since his introduction but he needs support. He finds Jones who threads it to Elokobi but Neville is there again. Corner.

King clears it out and another opportunity passes by for the away side.

Doyle fizzes one at Kuszczak on the volley but safe hands again from the Pole.

King chases a lost cause and takes on Foley. Clever play and no fear from the youngster but he goes alone when he should have pased it and it's blocked.

Throw-in for Wolves deep in United territory.

Poor play as Keogh passes it straight back to an offside Doyle. Schoolboy stuff.

Brown with a bit of cramp.

King again through and he powers his effort towards Hahnemann. Great strike but it's tipped away for a corner.

Nani plays it short and that's some good trickery from Valencia.

A minimum of 3 minutes added time.

Hahnemann launches it but it's very short and Gibson breaks.

Three on two for United but Wolves get back in time and Gibson can't deliver to Nani.

Nani to De Laet and it's easy-does-it for United, I reckon the ref will blow the whistle on time today.

De laet spoons a shot out for a throw-in. That's right, a throw-in.

Full-time. United 1-0 Wolves.

United 1-0 Wolves. Comfortable victory considering the champions only had ten men for an hour. Welbeck celebrates a year since his full United debut with a cracking strike. Wolves kept the ball well but offered little when they advanced anywhere near the United area. See you all next time...