By Chris O'Brien
August 12 2004

The Red Devils kick-off their reserve league campaign on Thursday evening against Nottingham Forest at Moss Lane. Northern Irish international Roy Carroll is expected to start between the sticks to get some match practice as the F.A Premier Reserve League North challenge kicks-off.

Manchester United's reserve team kick-off their new campaign on Thursday evening, as they take on newly-promoted Nottingham Forest in the F.A Premier Reserve League North.

Ricky Sbragia's reserves are fielding second-string sides in two separate divisions this season, with the Red Devils playing a side in the Pontins Holidays Division One in addition to the more illustrious Reserve League North. This will give a chance for more United's youngsters to impress as they look to stake a claim for a slot in United's senior set-up.

Games in the Reserve League North will continue to be at Altrincham's Moss Lane, with the Lancastrian club enjoying a strong bond with United. Matches at home in the Pontins League will take place at the home of non-league outfit Hyde United, Ewen Field.

Players such as Kieran Richardson, Chris Eagles, Jonathan Spector and Ramon Calliste will be to catch the eye of Sir Alex Ferguson in the reserves this season, with the quartet for of the United youngsters desperate to get some first-team football this season and fulfil their potential at Old Trafford.

Roy Carroll is expected to start in goal this evening as United entertain Forest, hoping to get their league campaign off to a winning start. The Ulsterman needs some match practice after only playing one game during pre-season, against Bayern Munich during the unsuccessful pre-season tour of the United States. United lost the game on penalties. Bojan Djordjic, Paul McShane and Kenny Cooper are both set for starts and will be eager to impress Sbragia and Ferguson.
United will line-up as follows:
Carroll, Picken, Howard, McShane, Eckersley, Fox, Jones, Djordjic, Heath, Ebanks-Blake, Cooper.
Substitutes: Heaton (GK), Poole, Timm, Collett, Jones R.

For those of you who cannot get to Moss Lane for the 7pm kick-off, the game is being broadcast live on MU:TV.