McCarthy: Don't write off United
McCarthy will take his Wolves side to Old Trafford on Saturday for the second time in just over a week after being beaten 3-2 in the Carling Cup meeting. But, although champions Chelsea may top the table at present, McCarthy believes United are capable of turning the tables. He said: "Alex Ferguson would say himself that it's after Christmas when it all really starts. "They have the ability to win seven or eight games on the bounce and suddenly it all changes. "A couple at the top might draw two or three games, United win five or six and it all concertinas up." McCarthy believes the Carling Cup clash between the teams will have little bearing on Saturday's encounter as Wolves look to build on their 2-1 win over Manchester City. He said: "It will be a different game. They'll have Nemanja Vidic, maybe Rio Ferdinand and Dimitar Berbatov and Paul Scholes playing against us. "They have got players who will play that didn't play against us before. But we've got players as well that will come in. "I don't know if Ryan Giggs will be fit, and I know they're saying Wayne Rooney won't be fit until they play Manchester City. "They also had the Champions League game on Tuesday and, if that helps us, then great." McCarthy believes Wolves will reap the benefits from allowing midfielder Stephen Hunt to recover completely from his long-term foot injury. Hunt made his first Premier League appearance since his summer move from Hull against Manchester City. McCarthy said: "I think he'll be fine on Saturday and he'll be flying at Old Trafford. "He's had two-and-a-half games and he's a fit guy. We nursed him back and made sure he was right and he'll get the benefit from that."