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It has been anticipated for weeks, but manager Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed that starlet midfielder Paul Pogba is set to make his debut on Tuesday night at Elland Road when Mancheester United meet Leeds United in a Carling Cup tie. The 18-year-old Frenchman did pick up a slight knock last Thursday during a Reserves match but it not expected to prevent him from facing Leeds.
"He's got a slight injury. It's not too bad, though. So he wasn't available for Sunday but he should be able to play on Tuesday and I intend to play him against Leeds United." -Sir Alex Ferguson
Source: www.manutd.com
Fergie also discussed the possibility of the youngster going out on loan:
"It's more difficult to loan a boy of 18 who's come from France. We prefer to keep him with us until we find he's mature enough to possibly go on loan. Maybe next year that could be an option but we're definitely expecting him this season to stay with Manchester United." -Sir Alex Ferguson
Source: www.manutd.com
For the match versus Leeds, it is expected that Fergie will use a mix of experience and youth. Neither Michael Carrick nor Ryan Giggs started the league match versus Chelsea FC on Sunday so each veteran is a strong candidate to start alongside Pogba. However, it should be noted that Ferguson did not necessarily say that the youngster would start so it is possible that he makes his debut as a substitute. Squad rotation will be important as the club faces four matches over an upcoming stretch of 12 days. The Reds will surely be taking this match seriously despite their old rivals being in the Championship. It was just in January of 2010 when Leeds shocked United at Old Trafford in a FA Cup clash.