Wolves boss Mick McCarthy accused his players of lacking belief after they lost 1-0 to 10-man Manchester United in the third round of the Carling Cup.

McCarthy’s Premier League new boys failed to take advantage of United making 11 changes to the side which started their last Premier League game.

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The first-half dismissal of full-back Fabio for a professional foul on Michael Kightly also had little effect on Wolves’ ability to take something out of their trip to Old Trafford with Danny Welbeck’s 66th-minute strike the difference.

“I preferred it when they had 11,” said McCarthy.

“Manchester United have done it many times before, against clubs who have been in the Premier League far longer than us.

“They pick teams off and get to the other end of the pitch by playing through you.

“We were in the game more before they had a man sent off.

“But the result was more about us, our confidence and our belief in beating a team with 10 men.”

Yet McCarthy refused to castigate a team for whom Kightly and former United striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake were returning after extended periods on the sidelines.

“We have been in the Premier League for three months,” he said.

“That doesn’t make us a Premier League team. We are a football club that has got itself into the Premier League and for most of the time we have competed.

“Manchester United are arguably the best team in Europe. Liverpool have a similar set-up, and Arsenal.

“We are snotty-nosed kids coming up from the Championship.

“Is it a case of us coming up here and having our bellies tickled and for them to say, ‘thanks for coming’?

“I don’t like that. But it is part of the learning process.”

United boss Ferguson wants a Carling Cup last 16 meeting with son Darren, manager of Coca-Cola Championship side Peterborough.

United will learn their next opponents in

Saturday’s draw and Ferguson is in no doubt who he wants.

“Peterborough at home,” he said.

“All the family should be happy with that.”

Ferguson had no complaints over Fabio’s dismissal for hauling down Michael Kightly after the youngster had slipped as he attempted to make a tackle.

The Scot was delighted with his side’s discipline in possession, which left Wolves chasing shadows for long periods under Kevin Doyle brought a bit of spark late on.

But, having changed his entire starting line-up from Sunday’s breathtaking win over Manchester City,

Ferguson felt vindicated in his selection policy which allowed him to introduce 17-year-old Norwegian Joshua King for his debut.

“The boy has a really good future,” said Ferguson.

“In fact, with Welbeck, Federico Macheda and Joshua King we have some really good young strikers. It is a long time since we had a group as good as that coming through the club.”

By SIMON STONE