Crystal Palace boss Dougie Freedman wants his players to make the most of their Carling Cup clash with Manchester United.

Whatever the result at Old Trafford, Freedman wants his side to use the experience to their advantage.

"I've told my players to go there and come away better players," he said in his pre-match press conference.

"This is an experience that you have got to soak up, you've got to enjoy it, you've got to work hard and be proud of your performance and what will be will be.

"That is exactly what I've told my players and that is exactly what I am going to do myself.

"You've got to make yourself and your family proud of your performance if you're representing this club and that is what I ask of my players - to make themselves and their families proud of them playing there and coming away from it as a better player."