Wayne Rooney has begged Sir Alex Ferguson to let him captain Manchester United for only the second time in tonight's Carling Cup tie against Coventry.

Rooney has made just two starts since his return from a five-week lay-off after suffering a broken foot on the opening weekend of the season, and is desperate to play. United boss Fergie has not made up his mind whether to start with Rooney or leave him on the bench as back-up, but admitted the 21-year-old striker has pleaded to be made skipper.

"Wayne's been in my ear wanting to play, wanting to be captain, take the penalties, the corners, freekicks, goal kicks, the lot," said Ferguson.

United's crowd will be a sell-out of more than 72,000 - three times more than Chelsea's in the Champions League last week.

And that is to watch what is, in effect, United's reserve team.

Fergie added: "There's a real buzz."

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