The Carling Cup, usually the competition for the Premier League's top clubs to break in youngsters, will give Manchester rivals United and City a chance to utilise older players this week.
Owen Hargreaves, the injury-plagued midfielder, could make his first appearance for City since his switch across Manchester after being released by United.
The 30 year old has failed to complete a match in the last three years, but is set to have a chance to prove he is clear of the knee problems that have blighted his recent career when City face Birmingham City tomorrow.
"I need to speak with Owen and on Tuesday [today] we will decide if he will play, but he probably will," Roberto Mancini, the City manager, said. "He has been in full training but he is not 100 per cent. He could play maybe 30 to 45 minutes."
City host the defending champions in the third round after seeing their perfect start to the Premier League season end with a draw at Fulham on Sunday.
Despite a summer outlay of around £75 million (Dh435m), Mancini is complaining about deficiencies in the squad.
"We are lacking at this moment because we lost two midfielders," Mancini said. "I don't have players at the moment. I have only two midfielders because James [Milner] and [Nigel] de Jong have injuries."
United have the opposite problem: making use of the array of talent at manager Sir Alex Ferguson's disposal.
After packing the first team with youngsters, United have opened their title defence with five wins.
Such early success has prevented Michael Owen from making an appearance, but the 31-year-old striker is set to be deployed against Championship club Leeds United tonight.
There could also be a place in the team for Ryan Giggs, the 37 year old, who did not play in the 3-1 victory over Chelsea on Sunday. He has highlighted the competition as a chance for young players to make an impact.
"There are young players coming through at United but this is an important part of their career," Giggs told MUTV.
"When you look at the lads who came through in my age group, then those who followed; Wes Brown and John O'Shea for instance, when they got their chance, they took it.
"Once you hit 17, 18 and 19, that is what you have to do. It doesn't matter whether you get a chance to train with the first team, or in a match as a substitute, you need to make an impact."
Leeds were one of United's fiercest rivals until they dropped out of the Premier League in 2004. But Simon Grayson's side upset United in the third round of the FA Cup in 2010.
"Wont [sic] be no ordinary Carling Cup clash," Owen tweeted. "Huge rivalry. Can't wait."
Arsenal's match against fourth-tier side Shrewsbury Town should be providing a welcome distraction from their worst start to a top-flight campaign since 1953/54. But the start of Arsenal's current difficulties can be traced back to losing in last season's final against Birmingham.
Going into the February final, the Gunners were in contention for four trophies but they missed out on all of them.
Cricket World Cup League 2
UAE squad
Rahul Chopra (captain), Aayan Afzal Khan, Ali Naseer, Aryansh Sharma, Basil Hameed, Dhruv Parashar, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Farooq, Muhammad Jawadullah, Muhammad Waseem, Omid Rahman, Rahul Bhatia, Tanish Suri, Vishnu Sukumaran, Vriitya Aravind
Fixtures
Friday, November 1 – Oman v UAE
Sunday, November 3 – UAE v Netherlands
Thursday, November 7 – UAE v Oman
Saturday, November 9 – Netherlands v UAE
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Seven tips from Emirates NBD
1. Never respond to e-mails, calls or messages asking for account, card or internet banking details
2. Never store a card PIN (personal identification number) in your mobile or in your wallet
3. Ensure online shopping websites are secure and verified before providing card details
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Score
New Zealand 266 for 9 in 50 overs
Pakistan 219 all out in 47.2 overs
New Zealand win by 47 runs
New Zealand lead three-match ODI series 1-0
Next match: Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi, Friday
The UAE squad for the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games
The jiu-jitsu men’s team: Faisal Al Ketbi, Zayed Al Kaabi, Yahia Al Hammadi, Taleb Al Kirbi, Obaid Al Nuaimi, Omar Al Fadhli, Zayed Al Mansoori, Saeed Al Mazroui, Ibrahim Al Hosani, Mohammed Al Qubaisi, Salem Al Suwaidi, Khalfan Belhol, Saood Al Hammadi.
Women’s team: Mouza Al Shamsi, Wadeema Al Yafei, Reem Al Hashmi, Mahra Al Hanaei, Bashayer Al Matrooshi, Hessa Thani, Salwa Al Ali.
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Power: 181hp
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Transmission: 6-speed automatic
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Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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Ain Dubai in numbers
126: The length in metres of the legs supporting the structure
1 football pitch: The length of each permanent spoke is longer than a professional soccer pitch
16 A380 Airbuses: The equivalent weight of the wheel rim.
9,000 tonnes: The amount of steel used to construct the project.
5 tonnes: The weight of each permanent spoke that is holding the wheel rim in place
192: The amount of cable wires used to create the wheel. They measure a distance of 2,4000km in total, the equivalent of the distance between Dubai and Cairo.
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Engine: 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 715bhp
Torque: 900Nm
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Qosty Byogaani
Starring: Hani Razmzi, Maya Nasir and Hassan Hosny
Four stars
Manchester City 4
Otamendi (52) Sterling (59) Stones (67) Brahim Diaz (81)
Real Madrid 1
Oscar (90)
