It will never take pride of place in the United trophy room, but the League Cup has been kind to the club.
Ferguson's men have lifted the trophy in the previous two seasons, with Tottenham and Aston Villa beaten in the finals. The victory against the Midlanders prevented a potless campaign, with the latest defence kicking off in free scoring fashion against Scunthorpe United.
Wolves began in the competition by making hard work of League One outfit Notts County. A late Nenad Milijas penalty saved defeat before they ran rampant in extra time to claim a 4-2 win.
History repeating?
Wolves and United met in the third round 12 months ago, with a repeat result for the hosts on Ferguson's mind.
The match winner that day, Danny Welbeck, is now plying his trade on loan at Sunderland so a different second choice centre forward must come to the fore. After he netted a brace against Scunthorpe, Owen could be that man.
Wolves haven't tasted victory in the fixture since Kenny Miller stunned United with a famous goal in a 1-0 league victory in January 2004. The Theatre of Dreams has been even less charitable, with no win recorded in nearly 30 years.
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Manchester United
In a sign of the times for Michael Owen, the ex-England striker can expect to be involved from the start while the rest of Manchester United's star names stay at home.Javier Hernandez's stellar beginning and Federico Macheda's rise has forced the 30-year-old to regularly miss the cut for the 18-man Premier League match day squads. If manager Sir Alex Ferguson goes for an adventurous selection, Owen can expect to partner the Italian up top.
With injuries aplenty out wide, Gabriel Obertan should follow his substitute appearance against Stoke City with a role from kick-off. On the opposite flank, Bebe could be handed his first start for the club since his surprise summer transfer.
The highlight of the evening for the United faithful could be the long-awaited return of Owen Hargreaves. The midfielder's second - and rumoured final - comeback after a two-year injury nightmare could begin in earnest.
Probable starting XI: Kuszczak; Rafael, Smalling, Brown, Fabio; Bebe, Gibson, Anderson, Obertan; Owen, Macheda.
Wolves
Coach Mick McCarthy was slammed for selecting a top flight second string at Old Trafford last term but will cope no flack for the same trick in the League Cup.The players who performed so admirably in defeat to Chelsea will be told to put up their feet. McCarthy's refusal to sanction a loan exit for Wayne Hennessey will see him replace veteran goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann.
Injury hit summer signing Steven Mouyokolo could also be handed a rare start after he made the substitute's bench at Stamford Bridge. Perennial reserve George Elokobi could also fit in at the back.
Stephen Hunt may be given more minutes under his belt after the fellow new boy came off the treatment table to feature at the weekend, while United youth product Sylvan Ebanks-Blake will be given a run out on his old stomping ground.
Probable starting XI: Hennessey; Stearman, Mancienne, Mouyokolo, Elokobi; Foley, Jones, Milijas, Hunt; Ebanks-Blake, Bent.
Prediction
Man Utd. 3-1 Wolves 
