Betting: Barnsley

From Anfield to Oakwell. That's life for United as Sir Alex's men travel to Barnsley on Tuesday night for a Carling Cup fourth round tie.

Worryingly, Barnsley's recent history includes cup wins over both Liverpool and Chelsea as the Tykes embarked on a memorbale run to the FA Cup semi-finals in 2007/08. But the Championship side haven't enjoyed the best of times since that magical stretch of games and United travel across the Pennines to take on a team who sit 20th in the league, just four points above the relegation spots.

Accordingly, Betfair’s layers aren’t taking any chances with the Reds – United are priced at just 1.5 (1/2) to win in 90 minutes. Barnsley can be backed at 8 (7/1) with the draw a 5 (4/1) chance.

Before diving in at that price on a United victory it’s worth considering the team Sir Alex is likely to play. Promising youngsters Federico Macheda and Danny Welbeck played up front against Wolves last time out in this competition... at least until Fabio’s 31st minute red card forced a reshuffle. We can expect a few more fringe players to be given an outing in South Yorkshire, and when you make changes the result is never straightforward.