Less than a week after a fringe side lost at home to Besiktas in the Champions League, Ferguson is to provide further opportunities for youngsters such as Federico Macheda, Gabriel Obertan and Danny Welbeck.

United's first European home defeat for more than four years attracted widespread criticism but it has not altered Ferguson's outlook on selection for the repeat of last season's final.

"I don't need to motivate them with what has been said," said Ferguson. "Their future is well mapped out.

"But the one thing we cannot give them is an old head, which is what we saw in the last third of the pitch last week.

"They got anxious. They created good chances and they hurried the thing. But that is not the biggest crime in the world.

"We are not talking about ability here. We are talking about experience and that is starting to stack up. That is why we have to play them."

In addition to the youthful element, Michael Owen will hope to be involved, while Dimitar Berbatov could be make his first appearance in the competition since scoring for Tottenham in their 2008 final victory over Chelsea.

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp is expected to utilise his squad for the contest with captain Robbie Keane and Jermaine Jenas set for recalls - Niko Kranjcar is cup-tied.

Redknapp's former club Portsmouth, meanwhile, can put their Barclays Premier League struggles aside with the visit of Aston Villa offering the chance of a semi-final berth.

Pompey have taken just seven points from their opening 14 games and will need to take in excess of a point a match from their final 24 to stay up.

"Miracles happen sometimes, no?" new manager Avram Grant pondered. "We have more than 20 games until the end of the season, so even though the situation is like this, I think we can do it.

"It will not be easy. I know I'm coming into a difficult situation and it will be a challenge for me, the players and the club."

Visitors Villa should be finding their way to more semi-finals, according to their manager Martin O'Neill.

Villa's only two pieces of silverware in the last 25 years were in the League Cup in 1994 and 1996, under Ron Atkinson and Brian Little respectively.

Their only other final appearance during that period was in the 2000 FA Cup when they were beaten by Chelsea.

"The history of this club would suggest we should be contesting more semi-finals and finals than they have done in the last 25 years," said O'Neill.

"I remember Brian Little telling me that to win it was really terrific and the feeling that was felt throughout the whole club was really energising."

Premier League leaders Chelsea face a tricky tie at Blackburn on Wednesday night while the final of the four matches sees two teams with points to prove meet at Eastlands.

Arsenal appear out of the title race after their 3-0 home defeat to Carlo Ancelotti's Blues.

But ahead of the clash with big-spending Manchester City, Tomas Rosicky said: "The next match is vital.

"After a defeat like this, you need to have a good reaction, if not it will be even more difficult."

City will also be glad to be away from league action after a run of seven straight draws.