Scunthorpe v Man Utd preview

Scunthorpe will assess the fitness of defender Rob Jones, who has been suffering from a knee problem.

Jim McNulty may miss out again with an ankle complaint, while winger Garry Thompson (groin) is out until November.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is likely to rest the bulk of the side that beat Liverpool.

Michael Owen will start up front, with the likes of Javier Hernandez, Bebe, Anderson, Darron Gibson and Gary Neville also expected to play.

Carling Cup holders Manchester United begin the defence of their crown with a trip into unchartered territory on Wednesday, taking on Scunthorpe for the first time in competitive action.

United's record in this competition is intimidating. They have lifted the trophy in three of the last five seasons, and last suffered a knock-out defeat in September 2007, when Championship side Coventry stunned them at Old Trafford.

Despite recent criticism of his selection policy, Sir Alex Ferguson will make wholesale changes to the side that registered a thrilling victory over Liverpool on Sunday, with hat-trick hero Dimitar Berbatov almost certain to be rested.

While Ferguson has taken charge of well over 1000 Manchester United matches, Scunthorpe caretaker boss Ian Baraclough is gearing up for only his third game in football management. The former QPR defender has presided over one win and one defeat since being placed in temporary charge following Nigel Adkins' departure to Southampton, and will relish the opportunity to pit his wits against one of the game's most famous names.