FOSTER TO START AT STOKE
Ben Foster will start for United against Stoke City on Saturday as the Reds will be without Edwin van der Sar for a further three weeks.
Tomasz Kuszczak impressed between the sticks against Wolves on Wednesday, but Foster keeps his place for league duty against his former club.
Van der Sar, who suffered a broken hand against Bayern Munich in pre-season, isn't expected back until mid-October.
"Edwin is still three weeks away," confirmed Sir Alex Ferguson at his Friday press conference. "It was a good opportunity for Tomasz to play on Wednesday, but Ben will play against Stoke."
The boss also confirmed that there were no fresh injury concerns from Wednesday night and all the players involved in the 4-3 derby victory over Manchester City are in contention for selection this weekend.
Sir Alex revealed his respect for the work Tony Pulis is doing at Stoke and believes the trip to the Britannia Stadium will be tricky for the champions.
"Stoke have a good home record, and I'm not surprised how they've started the season at all," he said. "They're a club on the up and they're going to be a force."
O'SHEA READY FOR BATTLE
Sunday's dramatic win over City was an occasion to savour, but John O'Shea insists the Reds are fully focused on moving forward at Stoke on Saturday.
Having booked a spot in the Carling Cup fourth round by beating Wolves in midweek, United's attentions now turn back to the league, and O'Shea is well aware of the difficulties the champions will face against Pulis' side.
"The derby win was amazing, but that will soon be forgotten come five past three on Saturday when Stoke are getting in and about you," O'Shea told Red View.
"Stoke have really improved over the last year and made some good signings. They don't just have good battling qualities, they've got good footballing qualities too.
"I know Glenn Whelan, who plays centre midfield for them, from the Irish team and he's not only a good battler, but he's great from set pieces and is a good passer. So we know we'll have plenty of work to do."
The Reds earned a battling 1-0 victory over the Potters last season thanks to Carlos Tevez's late winner. And O'Shea is hoping for a repeat result this time round.
"We know from last season how tough a place it is to go and it was a crucial win for us, especially as it was our first game back after the Club World Cup," he added.
"We're under no illusions of how tough it will be, but we're playing well at the moment and hopefully we can pick up another three poin
Q&A: JONNY EVANS
Jonny Evans may be called upon for the rough and tumble of a visit to Stoke this weekend. If so, he’ll likely prove once again why he’s moved so seamlessly into the senior United side. Here he tells us what life is like in the first team…
How pleased were you with last season?
At the start of the season I didn’t expect to be involved as much as I was. To get the Carling Cup, especially the way we won it with a lot of young players playing, was very pleasing.
What are you striving for this year?
To be involved as much as I can. People say you can have a good first season because of the adrenaline that comes with it, but the second season is always harder. So I want to remain consistent, put in good performances and improve as a player.
How did coming through the ranks here prepare you for life in the first team?
I’ve had some great coaches along the way, particularly Paul McGuinness . He’s very intense and you can see how dedicated he is to Manchester United, he absolutely loves the club and puts everything into his coaching. Working with him in the youth team gives you an insight into what it means to work at Manchester United. He developed me as a person and as a player. He makes you realise you’ve got to put the work in for yourself if you’re going to become a better player.
Do you feel like you’re a fully fledged United player now?
You don’t sit down and think ‘I’m a United player now’ – especially not after a handful of games. There are plenty of players who’ve played up to 100 games for United and aren’t well remembered. You want to make your mark on the history of the club and be remembered. Only then can you say ‘I made it at United’.
What are the highlights of your United career to date?
I’d have to say the whole of last season. The Carling Cup and the Club World Cup and winning the Premier League. I don’t think many players get that in their whole career so to get that in one season was unbelievable.
Are we going to see a goal from you this season?
I don’t know why I bother going up for corners any more! I look up to Rio Ferdinand and he’s not scored too many goals, so I’m just following in his footsteps!
Who’s been your toughest opponent on the pitch?
I’ve played against some really good forwards but one of the toughest opponents I’ve played against is Rob Hulse at Derby last year. People wouldn’t class him up there with the likes of Torres and Drogba but he puts himself about, he’s really good in the air and he’s a player I didn’t enjoy playing against.
And what about on the training field?
I have to say Wayne Rooney … because if I don’t he’ll moan!
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