Carling Cup final
Venue: Wembley Stadium Date: Sunday, 1 March Kick-off: 1500 GMT

Manchester United face Tottenham in the Carling Cup final on Sunday with Man Utd looking to complete the first of their possible quadruple.

Spurs will look to defend their crown at Wembley, and will fancy thier chances against United. Tottenham are likely to opt for their strongest XI, after they fielded a weakened side in midweek.

Sir Alex Ferguson says he will play youngsters Darron Gibson and Danny Welbeck, as well as rare starts for Carlos Tevez and Luis Nani.

“We obviously want to win because the winning mentality in the club is why we have been successful, but we know what our priorities are and that will affect the team that I pick on Sunday,” he said.

“We have a big game at Newcastle on Wednesday and the priority for us will always be the Premier League and the Champions League.

“The Premier League is the only place to be and Harry Redknapp is well aware of that judging by the team he picked in the Uefa Cup on Thursday.”

Possible starting XIs:

Man Utd: Foster, Fabio, Ferdinand, Vidic, O’Shea, Giggs, Gibson, Scholes, Ronaldo, Wellbeck, Tevez.

Tottenham: Gomes, Corluka, King, Woodgate, Assou-Ekotto, Bentley, Zokora, Jenas, Lennon, Modric, Pavlyuchenko.

Prediction: 1-0 (Man Utd win)

Inter Milan 0-0 Man Utd

Despite Man Utd’s dominance, the Red Devils had to settle for a goalless draw in a lively encounter at the San Siro.

Four minutes had gone in the game, when Cristiano Ronaldo’s header was well saved by Cesar. Ryan Giggs also had a good chance, as United dominated the first half. Ronaldo had a free kick saved as Cesar stuck out his left arm to deny a goal bound strike

Ronaldo then threatened with another free kick, before headering just wide. The Inter fans grew increasingly impatience at Inter’s lack of goalscoring threat as Ibrahimovic and Adriano failed to exploit a new look defence by United, mustering just one shot on target in the first half. The home side did improve though in the second half, and gave Man Utd more of a test.

Adriano scuffed an effort over while also tried to claim a penalty as Rio Ferdinand put his arm on the Brazilians shoulder as he went to head. Cambiasso couldn’t connect with an Inter corner when given space but it was Manchester United who could have won it, first Cesar rushed out to deny Rooney a chance before saving a Ronaldo free kick in injury time.

Uefa Champions League, 1st Leg
Venue: San Siro Date: Tuesday, 24 February Kick-off: 1945 GMT

It is a clash of two heavyweights. Man Utd face Inter Milan in the knockout stages of the Champions League on Tuesday night, and no doubt it’s going to be a cracking match at the San Siro.

Last time United visited this ground, they were hopelessly crushed by AC Milan 3-0. A repeat of that result is unlikely at the Giuseppe Meazza, but with the likes of Adriano and Zlatan Ibrahimovic it will be difficult to keep them at bay. (Read more here)

United face a dilemma at the back, with Nemanja Vidic suspended, but Jonny Evans and John O’Shea has travelled with the squad after they were both doubtful for the game. Gary Neville, Wes Brown, Rafael da Silva are all out of contention.  Fabio da Silva and youngster Adam Eckersley will be drafted in the squad as cover.

Jose Mourinho will no doubt be relishing this tie. Man Utd have won only once in twelve games when facing a side led by Mourinho (Porto or Chelsea), and the former Chelsea boss will want to carry that on. Inter style of play is very unique to the other teams in Serie A. They play long balls from the back looking for both their front two Ibrahimovic and Adriano as they are both very good in the air. They defend very tightly, as well as the threat up front.

Mourinho has brought back confidence in the side, Adriano for one. The Brazilian was out of favour last year, but has seen his fortunes turned right round. He has also signed Sulley Muntari from Portsmouth, and the midfielder has improved his game from what we saw last season.

David Beckham, currently as Inter rivals AC Milan, thinks that United should be wary of the quality of Jose Mourinho’s team.

“They have got good players all the way through their squad but I think the forwards are strong, they are quick and they can hold the ball well and they are not frightened so if you control them Man United have got a chance,” Beckham said.

“United have also got some players that can win games and also the defence is exceptional at the minute so that’s why it is going to be so tough.”

“As a Man United fan I’m on their side and also as a Milan player I’m on their side.

“I’ll be coming to the game, I’m sure I’ll speak to some of the players and the manager so I’m looking forward to it.

“United are favourites in my eyes but I am biased, the strength of their squad and the way they have been playing recently, they are on a run where they look unbeatable and I hope that continues.”

Man Utd Champions League statistics:

Nani, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tévez have featured in all six of United’s games in this season’s competition although none have played all 90 minutes.

United conceded just three goals in the group stage, the joint best record in the competition along with Juventus.

The Red Devils have managed 53 shots wide and won 48 corners to date, more than any other team.

United have collected only five yellow cards, fewer than any other team in the competition.

Inter Milan Probable team

Cesar

Maicon - Chivu - Matterazzi – Santon

Zanetti – Cambiasso – Stankovic

Muntari

Ibrahimovic - Adriano

Man Utd Probable Team

Van der Sar

Rafael – O’Shea – Ferdinand – Evra

Ronaldo – Carrick – Fletcher – Giggs

Rooney – Berbatov

Prediction 1-1

Man Utd 2-1 Blackburn

Cristiano Ronaldo’s stunning free kick in the second half was enough for Man Utd as they overcame Blackburn at Old Trafford.

Wayne Rooney stabbed home to give United the lead after 23 minutes, before Roque Santa Cruz leveled the tie nine minutes later, collecting a pass from Andre Oijer and rounding stand-in keeper Tomasz Kuszczak.The Red Devils had not conceded since November 8 when Arsenal beat them at the Emirates. In total, United had not let in a goal for 1337 minutes.

Jonny Evans then had a goal turned down, before Ryan Nelsen hit then post. This was the first time in months, where United’s defence had been so exposed. Blackburn seemed to grow more and more confident as the game went on.

Ronaldo then gave United the lead, as his free kick found the top right-hand corner of Paul Robinson’s net. The free kick was a trademark strike, one hit with tremendous precision.

Despite Man Utd moving eight points clear, the champions know that this performance was from their best. Sir Alex Ferguson had replace Jonny Evans for Nemanja Vidic, whho was supposed to be rested for the Inter game, because United simply were not defending well.

Ronaldo may have been the hero in United’s win, but was perhaps lucky to still be on the pitch after a petulant kick on Blackburn’s David Dunn. Referee Howard Webb gave Ronaldo a yellow card, but his actions deserved a red.

Webb, recognised as the Premier League top referee, had a game to forget as he also disallowed Jonny Evans’ header towards the end of the first half as well as turning down Blackburn penalty appeals in the second half.