After Manchester United’s surprise exit to Leeds in the 3rd round of the FA Cup, Alex Ferguson will be wanting more from his players over the 2 legged affair of the Carling Cup Semi-Finals. Only Ferguson will be up against city rivals, Machester City, who would like some bling in the trophy cabinet to show for all those millions spent.

Ferguson has promised to ring the changes ahead of the Manchester derby, after slating his players for their poor performance in the Leeds game. Obviously, Ferguson, needs this game like a hole-in-the-head. United’s players seem to have their eyes on bigger things, much to Ferguson’s annonyance and a defeat to City will chip away at the shield of confidence that United have built around them over the years.

It is no doubt a very tricky tie for United and one which City feel they have a great chance in progressing to the Carling Cup final. It certainly has whetted the appetite for Carling Cup betting punters as to which way the outcome of both these games will go.

Manchester City v Manchester United Carling Cup Betting Odds

Manchester City	11/8	13/10	13/10	37/25	13/10	13/10	7/5	13/10	13/10
Manchester United	2	21/10	21/10	39/20	2	2	15/8	2	21/10
Draw	9/4	23/10	23/10	233/100	12/5	12/5	23/10	9/4	9/4

The other Carling Cup Semi-Final is between Blackburn and Aston Villa. Villa recently defeated Blackburn 3-1 at home in the FA Cup and sit 6th in the Premiership, just 2pts away from that much coveted 4th place finish that O’Neil and his men want so badly. Blackburn have enjoyed the break that the Carling Cup offers, from the rough and tumble of the league, and their unexpected advancement past Chelsea in the Quarter Finals proves that.

As we are writing this article we have just heard that the Blackburn v Aston Villa game has been postponed due to safety of fans visiting Ewood Park after heavy snow.