Ryan Giggs says Manchester United would love another run in the League Cup. The competition would seem to be last on the club's list of priorities behind the Champions League, the Premiership and the FA Cup. But United got a taste of that Millennium Stadium atmosphere last season and want some more.

However, this time they will be looking to go one better after losing to Liverpool in the final. And United will not need much motivation tonight when they kick off their League Cup campaign with bitter rivals Leeds United their third-round opponents.

Giggs has given an insight into how the club will approach the competition this season: "We had a good run last year and had some great games, like Chelsea, Blackburn and Liverpool in the final. This game doesn't get any bigger either, as it is against Leeds, one of our fiercest rivals.

"A lot of lads are used to hostile atmospheres. You begin to enjoy it and relish it. But I don't know what the manager (Alex Ferguson) is going to do. He has sometimes rested players and brought in others who haven't played that many games.

"He has also got that mixture of experience and maybe younger lads will come in," added Giggs. "No matter what team the manager puts out it will be capable of winning. It always is."

Darren Fletcher, Cristiano Ronaldo and David Bellion could all get a run if Ferguson chooses, as is expected, to field a second-string side. Goalkeeper Roy Carroll is also expected to replace Tim Howard between the posts.

Phil Neville, Nicky Butt, Eric Djemba-Djemba and Diego Forlan also look set to be included in the starting line-up. There could also be places in the squad for Kieran Richardson, Danny Pugh and Paul Tierney.

"We have a strong squad, probably stronger than last year," Giggs continued. "We have brought in four or five players and the likes of Kieran Richardson and Darren Fletcher are coming through. Hopefully we can cope with injuries when they crop up."

United boss Ferguson will be looking for his team to bounce back after the shock home defeat by Fulham at the weekend.

He will again sit in the stand at Leeds as he completes his two-match touchline ban and will relay instructions pitch-side to coach Mike Phelan via a phone link.

Leeds manager Peter Reid, meanwhile, will rest David Batty, despite the midfielder being Leeds's best player in the last three matches, as he is anxious to keep the 34-year-old fit to face Arsenal in the weekend's upcoming Premiership match.

With Jermaine Pennant cup-tied, it means there will be changes in the Leeds line-up and Reid admitted he too expects Ferguson to make changes to his side, who only visited Elland Road nine days ago, scraping a 1-0 win courtesy of skipper Roy Keane's 81st-minute winner.

"Knowing Alex, the make up of their side will be a bit different," said Reid, who also welcomes Ian Harte back to the squad following the completion of a three-match ban.

"I know Alex well and I was going to ask him about his team last night (at the Northern Soccer Writers' dinner), but he didn't turn up.

"Whoever plays, we will have to play well to win. They got to the final last year and that shows they've a decent squad.

"I'm not trying to pick Alex's team, but I think the likes of Djemba-Djemba, Forlan and Nicky Butt will play, and they are top-drawer players."