Cristiano Ronaldo will start for Manchester United in the Carling Cup tonight

Sir Alex Ferguson will chuck Cristiano Ronaldo in with the Carling Cup kids tonight for his first start of the season.

Ronaldo made his long a waited comeback from the bench in Manchester United's last two games - against Villarreal and Chelsea - after undergoing the summer ankle surgery which forced him to miss the start of the new campaign.

United's star performer would not normally feature in the Carling Cup.

The competition is last on Fergie's list of priorities, the one he uses to give fringe players and emerging youngsters a rare taste of first-team action.

But Fergie, mindful that Ronaldo needs valuable time in competitive games to get back to full fitness, is ready to start with him in tonight's third-round tie against Middlesbrough at Old Trafford.

Although the Carling Cup is viewed by United as an irritant in an already crowded fixture list, Fergie's side could do with a convincing victory to kickstart their season after only managing one win - at Portsmouth - in their opening six games of the season.

Sunday's 1-1 draw at Chelsea came on the back of a 2-1 defeat at arch rivals Liverpool to leave United languishing in 15th place in the Premier League, albeit with a game in hand - Fulham at home - following heir involvement in the UEFA Super Cup.

With United yet to find top gear, Ronaldo's return could not have come at a better time for them.

And Fergie confirmed that the Portuguese star will play a part tonight as the Old Trafford boss make suse of the personnel at his disposal.

Despite the inclusion of Ronaldo in United's starting line-up, Fergie will stick with his stated policy of using the Carling Cup as a vehicle for his squad players and stars of the future.

"My team will involve changes," he said.

"There will be a mix of youth and experience. It's important that I give players coming back from injury some pitch-time.

"The likes of Owen Hargreaves, Ji-sung Park, Nani, Anderson and Cristiano Ronaldo all need games and they could be involved either in the starting line-up or on the bench.

"I also have it in mind to look to youngsters like Jonny Evans, Darron Gibson, Danny Welbeck and Rafael Da Silva, though unfortunately not his twin brother Fabio, who has a shoulder injury.

"I'm disappointed Manucho hasn't recovered completely from a metatarsal injury.

"This would have been a good opportunity to look at him and Welbeck in combination.

"Nevertheless, my team will add up to a strong side, capable of winning."

England striker Wayne Rooney, not required tonight, admitted Fergie's men needed Ronaldo, last season's 42-goal hero, back to his brilliant best as quickly as possible.

"It's a huge boost for us to have Cristiano back," said Rooney.

"He's a great player and hopefully he can get a few games in the next few weeks. That will give him his fitness back and he'll start to produce what we know he is capable of."

As well as 18-year-old Rafael Da Silva at rightback, another Brazilian, 19-year-old Rodrigo Possebon, is expected to start in central midfield alongside Anderson.

Edwin van der Sar, injured at Chelsea, will be replaced in goal by Tomasz Kuszczak.

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