Wolves striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake returns to Old Trafford insisting there is never a good time to play Manchester United – but is pledging to get at the champions.

The forward is relishing the chance of returning to his first club with four defenders – Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand, John O’Shea and Jonny Evans – out tonight.

United lost at home for the first time since March when Villa won 1-0 there on Saturday and the powerful hitman believes the task will be as difficult as ever.

He said: “Away at Old Trafford at any time is always a difficult game. But it’s one we’re looking forward to and we’ll try to take it to them. Like we did against Bolton and Tottenham, we’re going to be trying to get at them to get something out of the game.

“I don’t know whether there’s ever a good time to be playing Manchester United. They’ve got so many good players. I watched their game last midweek away to Wolfsburg when Michael Owen scored a hat-trick, so I don’t know if there’s ever a good time to play them.”

Three-and-a-half years after leaving United, Ebanks-Blake insists he has nothing to prove.

The 23-year-old came through the ranks at United and won an FA Youth Cup winner’s medal as well as being a regular scorer in the reserves.

But, ultimately, he couldn’t make the breakthrough and moved on to Plymouth for £200,000 after one goal and two Carling Cup games, before his £1.5million switch to Wolves.

Ebanks-Blake is still to score in open play in the Premier League in 11 games, his thumping penalty equaliser against Villa being his only strike this season.

But the double Championship Golden Boot winner reckons he can be proud of the career he has carved out for himself away from Old Trafford.

The Wolves striker said: “I don’t have anything to prove. I had a really good time at United but I moved on. I had a terrific education at Old Trafford and they were great years.”