Michael Owen insists Manchester United will respect Aldershot

Michael Owen insists Manchester United will not be taking tonight's clash against League Two Aldershot lightly as he sets his sights on another successful Carling Cup campaign with the Red Devils.

United go into the fourth round match at the Ebb Stadium looking for an immediate response to Sunday's derby mauling at the hands of Manchester City, and Owen is expected to be one of the players Sir Alex Ferguson drafts into his starting line-up for the game.

Owen has enjoyed plenty of recent and past success in the competition, helping United win a third Carling Cup in five years in 2010 with the equalising goal in a 2-1 final victory over Aston Villa, while in the previous round this season he netted twice in a 3-0 win against Leeds.

The 31-year-old also won the League Cup twice with Liverpool - including scoring against United in the 2003 final - and he is now targeting more glory this season, telling MUTV: "It's a competition we want to do well in.

"We've done quite well in the Carling Cup over the years and we want to progress and win a trophy. That's the end game."

While United suffered a 6-1 humiliation at the hands of City at Old Trafford on Sunday, Aldershot go into tonight's match in buoyant mood following a 5-2 away, League Two win over Dagenham & Redbridge.

That result ended a five-match losing streak for Dean Holdsworth's men and was a timely boost ahead of the visit of Barclays Premier League champions United.

Owen knows Aldershot will be champing at the bit to claim a prized scalp tonight, but has warned their opponents that United will also be up for the game.

"It's obviously going to be a massive game for Aldershot with Manchester United coming into town," he said.

"I'm sure it'll be a full house and we're treating it as an important game as well."

Owen also expects United, whose defeat to City was their first loss since last season's Champions League final against Barcelona, to put out a strong team.

In the previous round against Leeds, Ferguson selected the likes of Owen, Dimitar Berbatov, Ryan Giggs, Michael Carrick, Antonio Valencia and Park Ji-sung.

Owen said: "There's players who weren't involved against City, me being one of them, and a lot of the lads need games so it'll be quite a strong Manchester United playing against them."

PA