United should start with a very familiar back five. Edwin van der Sar will continue in goal after a steady performance against Wolves. He will be behind a back four of Patrice Evra, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and Rafael. The young Brazilian will get the nod ahead of Gary Neville as Wes Brown is out for six weeks with a broken foot.

Up against fellow countryman Ronaldinho, Rafael seems to be optimistic about his chances against the former World Player of the Year,

he said: ‘It was a great privilege for me. It made me feel that the manager really trusts me by giving me the opportunity to play in this type of match.”

He continued: “It’s a great feeling knowing that the manager believes in my ability to play at this level.

As Milan will be forced to attack, needing two goals to qualify, Sir Alex Ferguson may opt again for a five-man midfield. Antonio Valencia somewhat changed the first-leg with his direct running at Milan’s full-back Antonini, so he is shoe-in on the right side. Darren Fletcher and Paul Scholes will probably line up in midfield with Ferguson preferring Ji-Sung Park on the left for his hard-work, discipline and Nani’s terrible performance at the weekend. Michael Carrick is suspended for the fixture so Darron Gibson could well continue in the middle.

Question marks remain over whether or not Wayne Rooney will be fit enough to start the match.

Sir Alex in his press conference explained: “He is fit, I am glad to say that he is fit.

“He has showed a rapid improvement since Saturday morning. He was extremely doubtful, but he is OK.”

Rooney may only make the bench and we will see Dimitar Berbatov leading the front line as he did at the weekend.

Ferguson is confident of an entertaining match against Milan,

he stated: “It is certainly an open tie and I think what we are going to see tomorrow will be a very open game.

“We will hope to kill the tie with our own attacking abilities. There is no doubt that AC Milan have to score, which should make it a really open match.

He continued: “I don’t think we are very good at defending leads, so we will play our normal way. That means attacking, it always has. We will try and do it our normal way.

“I don’t think we should be confused by the score of 3-2 as passage into the next phase of this competition.

“We accept this is a very difficult game for us and one which we need to win. And that’s how I’m approaching it, to win the match.”

AC Milan will be forced to attack from the offset as they look to overturn the 3-2 first-leg defeat.

A similar situation to Rooney’s developed in Milan as Pato was an injury doubt, but he has travelled and will definitely play a part in proceedings, most likely from the bench. Clarence Seedorf his also shrugged off an injury and should also start from the sidelines.

David Beckham has spoken of his excitement about the upcoming tie,

he told Milan’s TV channel: “If I play on Wednesday I won’t be frightened but I will be excited because I played in that stadium for many years and I know what it means to be a Manchester United player.

“I know what it means for opponents to play there.”

Leonardo can either deploy him as a right-winger or in a three-man midfield.

After a good display away to Roma on Saturday evening Milan are unbeaten in seven Serie A matches. During this game Leonardo experimented with a narrower formation, having Huntelaar and Borriello up-front together with Ronaldinho behind, so it will be interesting to see if he continues with this tactic or revert to his tried and tested 4-3-3.

The Milan manager has taken an understandable positive approach, “My confidence in tomorrow’s game comes from our recent performances and how we already played in the first leg at San Siro. I don’t think Manchester United will change much from that tie.

“We need an important result at Old Trafford and so the psychological aspect will be crucial. It’s not easy to prepare a game like this, but we have different alternatives and will try to make the most of them.”

A tough game will be inevitable but three away goals put United firmly in the driving seat and they will look to kill off the tie with an early goal.

Prediction: 2-1 United

Probable Line Up: van der Sar, Evra, Ferdinand, Vidic, Rafael; Valencia, Scholes, Gibson, Fletcher, Park; Berbatov

***

Betfair is the official Manchester United betting partner and we here at Red Rants have partnered with them to offer a free £25 bet when you register.

Unlike other betting sites, Betfair allows you to place bets when the game is running and choose the odds at which you want to play. What allows you to do these things is you’re betting against other fans, not the bookie, so if you want better odds than are currently available, for example, you can place an order for a better price (but bear in mind that if your price is unrealistic your bet is unlikely to be accepted).

On Wednesday, a rare chance to back at home United win at decent odds of 1.77 should not be missed but it must be remembered that the Reds don’t need to beat AC Milan at Old Trafford. A draw would suffice and, although we’ll be backing a narrow Reds victory, the 3.7 on the draw holds great appeal as a saver bet.

Overs backers had sloppy defending from both sides to thank for five goals in the first leg. Having scored three goals away to both Real Madrid and Juventus this season, Milan are capable of finding the net at the homes of formidable opponents. However, with Ferdinand, Vidic, Brown, Evra – the defensive foundations of the Reds’ Champions League triumph two seasons ago – all available, we fancy .

At the time of writing, it’s not clear whether Wayne Rooney will start. Wazza has a great record against the Rossoneri – four goals in his last three appearances against them – so we certainly hope he makes it. Before the first leg the market favoured a low scoring game but after the 2-3 in the San Siro, goals are expected on Wednesday. However, Rooney’s absence could change that so back Under 1.5 goals at 3.2.

Dimitar Berbatov showed exquisite touches at Molineux on Saturday. Technically and physically, he towered above his opponents, inspiring United with neat flicks and visionary passing. Dimitar isn’t known for tearing around the pitch and neither are his ageing Milanese opponents. The slower pace of European football suits Berba and we’re backing him to score in a 1-0 Reds’ win.

Try a cheeky small stakes experiment with a red card punt. Old Trafford can be a frustrating place to chase down lost causes when you’re heading out of Europe and we can envisage a Milan player – perhaps Gennaro Gattuso, Clarence Seedorf or – imagine the headlines – even David Beckham – lashing out in the second half. Back the sending off at 3.95.

Who knows what awaits the Reds in the next round. Will they get the chance to dispose of one of their domestic rivals? Will they avenge last season’s defeat against Barcelona or could Cristiano Ronaldo return to Old Trafford with Real? Losing Michael Owen is a blow but with newcomers like Antonio Valencia, seasoned Champions League performers such as Paul Scholes and defensive rocks Ferdinand and Vidic all finding form and fitness, it pays to back United at 7.0 to win the Champions League.

After midweek international duty many of the players will now have to focus on the game at Molineux against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Many would expect Edwin van der Sar to return to the Manchester United line up, though Tomasz Kuszczak will have something to say about that. A good display in the Carling Cup final and more over the same in midweek for Poland, the PIG will be looking to a prolonged run in the team.

Rio Ferdinand is available for selection and should partner Nemanja Vidic in central defence. Patrice Evra will be at left-back as ever, and Gary Neville may get the nod over Rafael on the right side against weaker opposition and due to the Brazilian carrying a slight knock. Jonny Evans will miss the game with a knee injury.

Some semi-exciting news, Owen Hargreaves looks likely to play for the reserves in midweek, so he may be in for a first team call-up very soon indeed, but Wolves have came maybe a week too soon. Anderson is out for the season and Giggs is still sidelined with a broken arm. It would not be surprising if United lined up with five across the middle, Antonio Valencia on the right, making his 100th Premier League start. Nani is back from suspension, so could be on the left, but Ji-Sung Park will probably get the nod. Darren Fletcher, Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick should be the central midfield trio.

We have all heard the news that Michael Owen is out of the remainder of the season with a hamstring problem, so it seems we have an issue with our strikers. Wayne Rooney is also a doubt with a knee problem and Federico Macheda is only just returning from long-term absence. So the responsibility to lead the United front line should fall to Dimitar Berbatov. The Bulgarian still has doubters and a good performance leading the line on his own will do nothing but help his case.

Sir Alex Ferguson though expects a battle, he said, “It’s a real dogfight down there. Wolves are fighting for their lives so we expect a difficult match. It’s not going to be easy, but we’re in a situation now where we need to win all of our games. They have to gather points to stay in the league, and it’s the same for all the other teams down there. It’s not easy, but knowing Mick, he’s never been one to shirk a challenge. There is no doubt that they will have a go at us. We’ll just have to make sure we’re prepared for a battle.”

All the talk after the reverse fixture in December was about Mick McCarthy’s decision to field a weakened team, a suspended £25,000 fine will put a stop to any likelihood of a repeat as the Yorkshireman is likely to field an unchanged side from the one that was beaten by Bolton last weekend.

The main dangerman for Wolves this season has been Kevin Doyle, the clubs top scorer with six goals thus far. Jody Craddock is having something of an Indian summer in the gold and black, whilst also contributing four strikes to aid the anti-relegation cause. One player of interest to United fans will be Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, a goal machine in the Championship, has struggled with the step up scoring a paltry goal in the Premier League this season.

Doyle does seem optimistic, stating “United have so many games and, no matter how good a player you are, with that amount of matches, it is difficult to do it week in and week out. I think that is why you have seen some of the results this season, with the top teams beaten. We have less games to play all season, so that is an advantage and hopefully that will show on Saturday.”

Wolves’ only victory in 14 Premier League matches against Big Four opposition was at home to Manchester United in January 2004. A 1-0 win, though last time the side met at Molineux United were 3-0 victors, in the FA Cup four years ago. As well as being the Premier Leagues lowest scorers with 21 goals, Wolves have failed to score in 12 of their 27 league matches this season.

United on the other hand have only won two of their last six away matches in the league and failed to win in both previous Premier League visits to promoted clubs this season.

A battle will ensue, that is certain. Wolves are fighting for their lives and may feel they have something to prove with a full strength side on show, but United are beginning to move into top gear and the Carling Cup may well act as a catalyst for a rousing performance.

Prediction: 3-0 United

Probable Line Up: van der Sar, Evra, Ferdinand, Vidic, Neville; Valencia, Scholes, Carrick, Fletcher, Park; Berbatov

***

Betfair is the official Manchester United betting partner and we here at Red Rants have partnered with them to offer a free £25 bet when you register.

Unlike other betting sites, Betfair allows you to place bets when the game is running and choose the odds at which you want to play. What allows you to do these things is you’re betting against other fans, not the bookie, so if you want better odds than are currently available, for example, you can place an order for a better price (but bear in mind that if your price is unrealistic your bet is unlikely to be accepted).

Chelsea’s unexpected defeat to Manchester City threw the competition wide open again and there’s little to split the Reds and the Blues, and indeed Arsenal, in the betting on this season’s Premier League winner. Chelsea head the market at 2.7 (7-4) with United close behind at 2.74 (7-4) and the Gunners 3.85 (14-5) shots.

Wolves stand between the Reds and the summit this weekend and the odds suggest the champions will get their own way – the home team are an enormous 12 (11-1) to win with Betfair. Faithful United backers can get 1.37 (4-11) while the draw trades at 5.3 (9-2).

Those short odds on a Reds win are unsurprising as Mick McCarthy’s men are stuck in rut with just one league win this year. By contrast, United are top of the form table with four victories and a draw from their last six games in England’s top division.

The Molineux outfit are the league’s lowest scorers with just 21 goals and will come up against the second most parsimonious backline on Saturday evening. The odds on a United clean sheet are tight at 1.92 (10-11) but they should be taken.

By and large Wanderers have kept things fairly tidy at the back, rarely getting hammered but never quite doing enough to snatch a share of the points or even taking all three. It’s likely they’ll lineup in a defensive formation, despite their chronic need for points. The Reds are likely to keep one eye on AC Milan’s Champions League visit and Fergie may pull one of two key performers off should United hold a two goal advantage. In short, don’t expect a heavy win.

With that in mind, a correct score bet of 2-0 appeals at 7 (6-1) as does the ‘draw/United’ half-time/full-time result at 4.7 (a little over 7-2).

Those odds only apply to a Reds victory inside 90 minutes but the price is still well worth taking. This is a massive game but, at a congested period, Sir Alex will want his side to pick up their first silverware of the season in normal time. For a United win which allows for extra-time or penalties you can get 1.49 (1/2) in Betfair’s Carling Cup winner market. Villa are available at 2.98 (2/1) and 4.5 (7/2) in the match odds market.

The Villains have a decent pedigree in this competition. Martin O’Neill won the League Cup with Leicester in 2000 and before that Villa won the competition in 1996. Most memorable for fans of the claret and blue is their 3-1 victory over United in the 1994 final – a defeat which cost United what would have been an historic treble.

But nobody has a better trophy winning pedigree than the Reds. Sir Alex Ferguson has taken United to six League Cup finals so he knows exactly what it will take to win on Sunday. United have shaken off last week’s defeat at Everton with a clinical 3-0 win over West Ham and they look hungry for success.

The Reds attack will aim to put Villa on the back foot from the start and, after being taken off against West Ham, Wayne Rooney will be raring to go. He should be backed to be the first goalscorer but to make things interesting you might also fancy a small stakes bet on a less likely scorer, perhaps Antonio Valencia – whose influence increases with each match – or Nemanja Vidic at bigger odds.

The two early goals Villa conceded in the semi-final showed that they can be vulnerable early on the big occasion. United won’t want this game to drift away from them like two recent visits to Wembley – last year’s final against Spurs and the FA Cup semi-final against Everton – and Sir Alex will demand that his strikers take their chances early on. Villa were involved in a testing FA Cup tie on Wednesday and could tire late on so back United to lead at the break and to press home their advantage in the second half by snapping up odds of 4.2 (16/5) in the Man Utd Win Both Halves market.

Their failure to beat a 10 man United at Villa Park earlier this month suggests that O’Neill’s side will struggle to break down United. With Ashley Young, Gabriel Agbonlahor and in-form James Milner, Villa are an exciting team, but United’s defenders have their measure and should be backed to keep a clean sheet.

A third League Cup trophy in five years will set up United nicely for the business end of the season which starts directly after this game.

It could be a classic when the Reds go head-to-head with Aston Villa on Sunday February 28th. Having failed to beat Martin O’Neill’s men in two attempts already this season, United might need your support to make it third time lucky.

With Wazza in unstoppable form United’s number 10 could well fire them to victory. Or will a goalkeeper be the hero as Ben Foster was when the Reds beat Spurs to lift the trophy last season?

Whatever happens, it’s going to be a great occasion. So don’t miss out – click here to place a bet with Betfair by midnight on Wednesday February 24 and you could be cheering the Reds to Wembley glory.

Everyone who places a bet by Wednesday night will be entered into a draw for the Carling Cup Final tickets – and the winner will also be part of a follow-up ‘a day at the final’ feature.

Click here to bet and enter the draw.

But the Betfair layers are taking no chances with the champions and rate the Reds as just 1.85 (5-6) chances to win at an opponent in very good form at present.

Everton have lost just once in 2010 – a fractious derby game with Liverpool – while Chelsea and Manchester City have been beaten at Goodison Park. They will not roll over for United.

And with Phil Neville, Tim Howard and Louis Saha in their side, the Toffees have a strong backbone of ex-United players who will be pumped up for the visit of their former club. And, of course, Wayne Rooney – United’s hero again this week – will get no love from the home faithful, who still cannot forgive him departing for Old Trafford back in 2004.

But despite good domestic and European form, recent results between the two do not give Everton fans much hope for a famous win over their old rivals. The Toffees boast just one victory over United since April of 2005, with seven defeats and two draws their miserable sequence since a 1-0 win at Goodison.

Everton’s good Premier League run has been based on a tight defence that has given up four goals in six games and an attack that does just enough to get the win. Only Sunderland and City have been beaten by two goals and the profile of those results should be taken into account. A tight affair looks likely and draw/Manchester United in the halftime-fulltime market appeals at 5.5 (9-2).

If you’re convinced a low scoring, closely fought contest is on the cards, then a trio of correct scores – 0-1, 1-2 and 1-1 – could tempt. They work out to combined odds of just under 3 (2-1) if backed together.

Should United score, then we all know who’s likely to be netting. It’s hard to take your eyes off Rooney at the moment and, back at his old club, the temptation is there to back him for a goal. A price of 2.25 (5-4) should be achievable once the market opens.

Follow Everton v Manchester United live online here.

Minds will surely be cast back to the last time the two sides met in 2007, United took a 3-2 lead back to Old Trafford and were very confident of finishing off the job in Manchester, only for Kaka, Gattuso, Pirlo et al to completely dismantle an inform United, utterly deflating them and producing a display akin to the great Milan side of the early 1990’s.

Other than 2007 the Rossoneri have dumped United out of Europe’s elite competition on three other occasions, – 1958, 1969 and 2005. So no matter what you have heard about Milan being a waning power and a team in decline, they will be dangerous, especially at home, there is no doubting that.

Manchester United go into the tie off the back of a 1-1 draw against Aston Villa a draw in which Ryan Giggs broke his arm ruling the midfielder out of the Milan match.

In goal, Edwin van der Sar should provide a formidable barrier to Marco Borriello, Ronaldinho and Alexandre Pato. Protected by Rafael, who should be preferred to Gary Neville given the recent performances the club captain has had. It will be a massive game for the youngster, coming up against his fellow countryman and former FIFA World Player of the Year could be the making of him. Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic should recreate the fearsome central defensive partnership that lead United to glory in 2008. Of course Evra will be in place at left-back.

Expect Sir Alex Ferguson to line up with a five man midfield, Antonio Valencia is likely to be in that team and is rightly looking forward to the match, stating, “They will be the biggest games I’ve played in club football.” Joining him will be Darren Fletcher, Michael Carrick and probably Paul Scholes. The Ginger Ninja has been in superlative form recently and the added time on the ball he will be afforded by Milan will surely mean he can do damage. Nani should also make the team, despite his red card on Wednesday his form over the last month has only been eclipsed by that of Wayne Rooney, who will be the lone frontman on Tuesday evening.

Underestimate AC Milan at your peril. There are deficiencies in the team; of that there is no doubt. But rookie manager has manages to shape some sort of team from the remnants of Carlo Ancelotti’s reign. Leonardo prefers a 4-3-3, which becomes more a 5-5.

Staring in goal will be Dida, by no stretch of the imagination back to the form of six years ago when he was one of the best stoppers in world football, he has at least achieved a reasonable level of performance so far this season, and can still pull of the odd wondersave.

The back four will be key for AC Milan, Alessandro Nesta and Thiago Silva are one of the most solid defensive partnerships in Europe right now. Nesta has managed to nurse himself back to a semblance of health, while Silva has proved his ability with masterful displays throughout the season. Against Udinese on Friday, Nesta made his comeback from injury only for Silva to go off injured in the same match. Much will depend on the fitness of these two.

Both full-back are the places where Milan are most vulnerable, Ignazio Abate, though young and full of running, is not a right-back, he is a best a decent right midfielder. His defensive positioning is poor and he can be a bit ‘over eager’ to say the least. Luca Antonini has made the left back position his own this season, but a journey man player, he spent 8 years away from the San Siro on various loan spells before he returned in the summer.

The Milan midfield will have a number of familiar faces, Massimo Ambrosini, the club captain and longest serving player is in a rich vein of form. He will more than likely be alongside Andrea Pirlo and Gennaro Gattuso. Pirlo will be pushed further up, as if he is in the trequartista role with the two generals behind him.

The front three will consist of Borriello, Pato and Ronaldinho.

Pato is just back from injury and scored against Udinese, he may be lacking in match sharpness so David Beckham may be given a starting berth, on the right side of a front three. Ronaldinho is back on form, not quite at his Barcelona best but not far off, he still has all the skills and can easily beat his man, he may have lost that acceleration of old but he has a potent weapon in the Rossoneri attack. Both will be playing off targetman Marco Borriello, the former Genoa striker his banging in the goals, while not a star, he is effective and can give any defence a rough ride.

Milan did not win for three games after the derby defeat to Inter. If United can press the ball just as Inter did then Milan do become vulnerable, but given space and time, Milan will hurt you. Just as Real Madrid.

Prediction: 2-1 Milan

Probable Line Up: van der Sar, Evra, Vidic, Ferdinand, Rafael; Nani, Fletcher, Carrick, Scholes, Valencia; Rooney.

***

Betfair is the official Manchester United betting partner and we here at Red Rants have partnered with them to offer a free £25 bet when you register.

Unlike other betting sites, Betfair allows you to place bets when the game is running and choose the odds at which you want to play. What allows you to do these things is you’re betting against other fans, not the bookie, so if you want better odds than are currently available, for example, you can place an order for a better price (but bear in mind that if your price is unrealistic your bet is unlikely to be accepted).

Yes and yes. But steady on, first legs first; the price on a Reds win in the San Siro on Tuesday night is a very appealing 2.82 (9/5). It’s actually a little surprising to see United as favourites to win the match as they’re poor record against Milan is largely down to the way that they’ve come unstuck at the San Siro.

Even in last year’s Champions League tie with Inter, the Reds failed to score and only came away with a 0-0 draw. On the two recent occasions that Milan have dumped United out of Europe – in 2005 and 2007 – the first leg was played at Old Trafford. Playing the second leg at home is a big reason for you to back United to win the tie over all.

Milan are a bogey team for the Reds but that’s been overshadowed in the build up to this match by the hype about Beckham. This could work in United’s favour and allow Sir Alex and his men to get on with the job of plotting the Italian side’s downfall.
Only the most foolish fan/punter would doubt Becks’ professionalism but one comment, made in an interview with a Sunday newspaper, could be telling. The former United number seven said: “It’s a big shame Giggsy’s out… Hopefully he’ll be fixed up soon and maybe he’ll make the second leg?”

Eh? Did we read that correctly? Becks’ thinks it’s a ‘big shame’ that United will be without their captain, most experienced player, two times Champions League winner and PFA Player of the Year? Somehow, I doubt his Milan team-mates would concur.

Milan’s main source of inspiration will be Ronaldinho. The Brazilian has been devastating in recent weeks, destroying Juventus, scoring his first Serie A hat-trick and hitting a wonder goal from 30 yards. United’s defenders will have to be at their most alert to nullify his threat. Back Yes for a United clean sheet at 3.0 (2/1).

Milan lack a player who can tear United apart as Kaka did three years ago. They’ve been in good scoring form since Christmas but so have United and the Reds have the more penetrating attack. Wayne Rooney is the in-form player in Europe while Milan’s Alessandro Nesta is not the defensive rock he was – as evidenced by the two goals Udinese managed to score at the San Siro last Friday. If United’s attacking movement is as slick as it was against Arsenal a fortnight ago, Milan won’t know what’s hit them.

Back Rooney to score and United to win 0-2 at 15.5 (14/1) but if you fancy placing a saver bet, odds of 2.5 (6/4) on Over 2.5 goals are appealing.

You can also follow Milan v United live online here.

Let me explain.

Those living under a rock and, hence, haven’t heard the audio yet, here you go.

The fan showed the banner quoting Gill circa 2004 as saying: “Debt is the road to ruin.” Now, whilst it’s apparent for all of us what that implies, it still helps when you pose a question to David Gill that you come a little more backed up so that when he throws the stock question, about ‘being quoted out of context’, you throw the context right back at him. This were his exact quotes that actually helps resolve the context question quite well:

“The key aspect of that proposal was the level of debt they were going to use in order to make their offer… we’ve seen many examples of debt in football over the years and the difficulties it causes. We know what it means and we think it is inappropriate for the business.”

Dear Mr. Gill, when the level of debt concerned you back then, it makes you come across a little, um, two-faced when you seem to throw your weight behind this venture whole-heartedly now, showing pompous arrogance in a lot of your comments to the fans lately. I know you are an employee of the club, and you are expected to toe the party line, but you could drop the derision in your tone towards the paying supporters who are genuinely concerned about the debts.

[Interestingly, Gill's interview from 2004 is present in full in the club's official website]