Tom Oldfield


One of the toughest jobs for a manager of a big club is to chase immediate success while also preparing for the future. Prolonged spells of dominance are the order of the day but a promising pool of youngsters is equally sought after, making it extremely tricky to keep everyone happy. Sir Alex Ferguson, though, is the master of making this conundrum work.
 
Manchester United proved in the mid 1990s that it was possible to ‘win things with kids’, blooding the likes of David Beckham and Paul Scholes alongside experienced heads such as Peter Schmeichel and Steve Bruce. And so an era at the summit of English football went into full swing.
 
Ferguson has always had one eye on the future – and the current crop of youngsters appear ready to carry the team into the next decade. A number of starlets have strutted their stuff for the champions over the past 12 months and can expect to hold down regular spots further down the line. Looking ahead to five years’ time, United supporters can rest assured that things are bang on track.
 
Ben Foster has already staked his claim to be United’s goalkeeper for the foreseeable future. Despite a few calamitous moments, Ferguson has kept faith with his young keeper and Foster, a fine shot stopper, is improving week by week. With Edwin van der Sar close to ending his career, he is the standout replacement and may well also be England’s future number one.
 
Defensively, several names instantly spring to mind. Firstly, Johnny Evans has made a real splash at centre-back. With Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic missing parts of last season, the Northern Ireland international was thrown into the fray and he came through with flying colours. Ferguson had no hesitation in picking Evans for a Champions League tie against Inter at the San Siro and the youngster handled the occasion superbly. Ferdinand, nearing 31 years of age, is unlikely to be at Old Trafford in five years’ time but Vidic, at 27, may well be Evans’ partner at the heart of the defence.
 
And the full-back positions also look promising in the shape of the Da Silva twins, Rafael and Fabio. Ferguson plucked the pair from Brazil and both have looked at home at the highest level. With retirement on the horizon for Gary Neville – one of the original fledgling bunch – Rafael made the most of his first team opportunities during the last campaign while Fabio has generally appeared at left-back. There is every chance that the twins will both be part of the future back four, fittingly following in the footsteps of the Neville brothers. Patrice Evra may have something to say about that, however.
 
In midfield, expect to see a couple of youngsters blended with some older, wiser heads. Darren Fletcher is 25 and Michael Carrick is reaching his peak at 28 but Ferguson knows that he needs young legs to add to the mix in due course and has earmarked the likes of Anderson, who at 21 has plenty of first team experience under his belt, Darron Gibson and Zoran Tosic as key men for the future.

Nani and Antonio Valencia also make up a crucial part of the next generation at Old Trafford, as does the talented Gabriel Obertan. Furthermore, just as United are benefiting from the experience of Paul Scholes and, particularly, Ryan Giggs this season, players like Carrick and Fletcher will be priceless further down the line.
 
Up front, Ferguson could not be happier with his younger options. The United boss has wasted little time in singing the praises of Danny Welbeck who has earned rave reviews from those in the know at Old Trafford. In fact, Ferguson believes the forward could squeeze his way into Fabio Capello’s World Cup squad.

Meanwhile, Federico Macheda certainly introduced himself in style at the back end of last season, scoring vital goals against Aston Villa and Sunderland. The Welbeck-Macheda partnership is brimming with potential and, hard though it is to believe, Wayne Rooney is just 23. Rooney ought to be hitting his peak in his late 20s and playing alongside the England talisman ought to bring out the very best in both Ferguson’s young charges, though Wellbeck might find himself playing out wide at times.
 
So, though it is inevitable that the chequebook will be opened for big names in the coming seasons, in theory United could field the following line-up in around five years’ time (with plenty left in reserve on the bench):
 
Foster; Da Silva R, Evans, Vidic, Da Silva F; Welbeck, Anderson, Fletcher, Nani; Rooney, Macheda.
 
For the time being, Ferguson’s focus is on the present and things are looking rosy enough with United in the thick of the title race thus far. But the team’s future – and with it the chance of leaving behind a dynasty – has not escaped his notice. With such a talented group of youngsters coming through the ranks, United are well set to continue their domestic and European dominance.

Related Articles:

 

PAOK 09/10 Third MUSLIMOVIC          AC Milan 09/10 Third INZAGHI

PAOK 09/10 third shirt MUSLIMOVIC                            Milan 09/10 third shirt INZAGHI