ANDY KING will cast his eye over Manchester United's side tonight to see if a young Red Devil could add further quality and competition to his squad.

The Town boss is good friends with Old Trafford reserve manager Ricky Sbragia and is well aware of the potential in the squad.

King will be eager to see whether the United players can mix it with senior professionals and whether they would fit into a particular style of play at the County Ground.

He said: "It will be exciting for our fans to see their young players. I've seen them and I know about them. They will all be comfortable handling the ball.

"It is a fantastic opportunity for me to judge first hand if there is someone I can pinch.

"How will they compete against a Second Division side? Would they be able to adapt to a different system and style of play if asked to?

"It isn't the recognised Manchester United squad but the club itself is a phenomenon.

"Whatever their team, though, I have drummed into our lads that I want us to keep up the winning habit."

Should King spot a player tonight that could fit the bill for a possible loan deal, he has stated just where he feels the need to provide further competition.

He said: "We haven't got a natural right wing-back. That's something I need to look at.

"There are a few names that I was interested in that have now gone. They include the German lad Robert Huth from Chelsea.

"I am happy with the quality of my squad. It is the competition that I want to improve.

"If Tommy Mooney isn't fit in time for Sheffield Wednesday, am I happy with the Sam Parkin/Jon Stevenson partnership to start the season?

"There are things to think about."

Mooney (foot) and Andy Gurney (thigh) will miss tonight's clash, and King is slightly concerned about the pair's lack of pre-season action.

He said: "They will 'catch up' with games in the early part of the season but it's always better to have had pre-season matches under your belt."

Other injury doubts, Matty Hewlett, Steve Robinson, Alan Reeves and Adi Viveash all trained yesterday.

Win, lose or draw tonight, King is happy with the way his side is shaping up.

He said: "I had a phone call from Steve Coppell who said the side had a nice balance about it. Those are the compliments I'm looking for, not whether the team is playing well in late July.

"I'd always planned to have this last week as one where we work hard on our shape in readiness for the Sheffield Wednesday game."