Fergie stands by Reds kids

November 25, 2009

UNITED manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes his youngsters will learn from experience after their 23-match unbeaten home record in the Champions League proper came to an unexpected end.

A goal from Rodrigo Tello in the 20th minute at Old Trafford was enough to give Besiktas their first win in Group B.

Tello's effort from distance deflected off Rafael and past a startled Ben Foster, who had been recalled to the side after two games for England.

With qualification to the last 16 already assured, Ferguson handed starts to the likes of Federico Macheda, Danny Welbeck, Gabriel Obertan and Darron Gibson.

United were looking for the point that would have seen them finish as group leaders, but came up short.

Ferguson said: “I thought we needed a bit of composure. The young players were a bit anxious and that is understandable in a way.

“It was an experimental line-up in a way. We have to be fair in the way we assess the players in these games.
“The value is the trust we have got in playing these young players. They are potentially top players.

“We know about Macheda and Welbeck while Obertan has only arrived at the club after having a long spell out through injury.

“The important thing is, though, they showed a good level. In the first half we had good opportunities but got caught on the counter-attack, which can happen of course.

“The goal followed a deflection off Rafael and we were chasing the game. Deflections off the body have a certain speed and that can cause a problem.”

United almost drew level in stoppage time but Besiktas goalkeeper Rustu Recber made two superb saves in quick succession from Macheda and then Wes Brown.

They also had a claim for a penalty dismissed late on by referee Stephane Lannoy when substitute Patrice Evra appeared to be blocked by Ibrahim Kas.

Evra appealed in vain and Ferguson questioned the decision, after feeling they also had a spot-kick claim rejected in the draw against CSKA Moscow last time around.

“I was right to be agitated, ” said the United boss. “If you can't give one like this and the one against CSKA Moscow then you are in trouble.

“It's a penalty kick - that's two games in a row they have denied us stonewall penalties but what can you do about it?”

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Horace Hughes, Salford (25/11/2009 at 23:40)

Moaning about refs all the while is now coming back to haunt Fergie. After the Wiley incident he has lost his aura he had over refs. I think all the 50-50 decisions will now go against us. Lets face facts these kids are not good enough. If you aint standing out as something special at 19-20-21 (like the 92 lot and Rooney, Ronaldo etc) then you shouldnt be playing for Man Utd. I think the lack of spending will come back and haunt us this season, (unless he was told he couldnt spend, and the Ronaldo money was to service the debt), well they wouldnt admit to that would they. It will all add up if there isnt a big splurge after the world cup next year. That might be why Fergie hasnt taken on a big name assistant manager, is bigging up these youngsters, and keeping Van Der Sar, Giggs, Scholes, and especially Neville on, hoping they keep renewing their contracts.

keithmat (25/11/2009 at 23:41)

Fielding an almost completely reserve side doesn't really illustrate much. The question is what would any one of the young players look like playing with 10 from the first team e.g. Macheda looks so much better there because he gets more service. SAF should pick the best team and the take 3 max out for youth and put the on the subs bench. We might find out more then.

Where was Fabio (the left twin?) did SAF confuse them again?

Patrick McLOUGHLIN, North Carolina, USA (26/11/2009 at 00:20)

welbeck..gibson..park will never be first squad players..neville and owen well past their best..and foster has lost all his confidence..best team (for saturday) should be vandersar/evra/vidic/o`shea/carrick/fletcher/obertan/valencia/berbatov/rooney/nani ...need two midfielders/one striker in january..enough said/

C.G.Low (26/11/2009 at 04:37)

I think they need more than composure. There has to more movement. Everyone looked static in the final third. As a result, there were not many options for the frontline and thus the speculative shooting especially from Gibson.

Bob the Baker, Preston (26/11/2009 at 09:27)

Lets rout the turks 5-0!!!!
neal 07, south stand lower
25/11/2009 at 12:28

.....................and the crappest prediction of the night goes to Neal 07 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

That's the worst prediction since Mrs Noah said to her neighbour 'Don't worry,it'll pass soon,it's only a shower!'

Scholesy passed me the ball..., England (26/11/2009 at 09:28)

Danny, Wilmslow - your thoughs please.......

mr bump, badlands (26/11/2009 at 10:07)

no penalty given at OT ? empty seats ? whatever next.

blue moon risin , manchester (26/11/2009 at 10:23)

did they start to issue hot drinks and blankets when you rags went one down ordered by the ref

steve wilson (26/11/2009 at 10:39)

Bob the Baker Apart from being a master at your chosen profession;do you know anything other than the bitter taste of supporting losers?

joey (26/11/2009 at 10:48)

Patrick, to say that Welbeck will never make first team proper while the boy is not a day over 19 is ludicrous - at 19 Kaka had barely made a first team appearance on professional football, Ronaldinho was not an established first team player at Gremio, and Paul Scholes had never played a senior game for Manchester United. Get some perspective, the reason a lot of young players have failed to maintain their development at United is the cohort of fans who call them the next Best on day one, and the worst on day two. As for Park, he is not just a first squad player, but a first team player at United, whether you appreciate him or not.

Redoaldo, Mancunia (26/11/2009 at 10:52)

No-one from midfield was able to make a run ahead of Welbeck and Macheda like Scholes used to do and like Fletcher is learning to do. This was a test set by SAF - several lads failed. Don't lose heart yet. Let's see what our inevitably unproven and mixed team will do against a buoyant Spurs in the Carling Cup next week.

World-wide-United, Not-in-wasteland (26/11/2009 at 10:52)

united dominated the whole game,,good performance by the young lads
but welbeck and gibson should have been replaced much early in the game
stunning performance by obertan,,,bright future for the Henry-like plaayer
good luck for man u and arsenal in the EPL next week

Gerry, Glastonbury (26/11/2009 at 10:55)

If there's any consolation it will be that Portsmouth are in for a very torrid time! VDS, Evra, Scholes,
Fletch, Giggs, Valencia, Rooney & Berb all back!!!
Giggs & Valencia wide, Fletch & Scholes in CM with Rooney & Berb up top. Now that's more like it!
Just a thought on the Nani situation - not even 15 minutes last night?

Clustim, Swigging Super Bock, Algarve, Portugal. (26/11/2009 at 10:59)

Well, letting the kids stay up late often results in them not doing as they are told. Like winning.
A team renown for blanket defending and relying on breakaways for scoring, which is exactly what happened last night, so no surprise, is a difficult task for young, skillful but naive players and many failed the test. I suppose that it was more about those that could not step up when given the opportunity and there Gibson was a Nani, [more self belief than ability], and Anderson, who should have led, were both failures.
The loss of a 5 year record is sad, but no tragedy, [ask the Scousers what that is!].
Finally, good post, Horace. Time will tell!

7501 , Manchester (26/11/2009 at 11:21)

Patrick, so we're playing with a back three? Shows how much you know.

Uwe the Goat, Brighton (26/11/2009 at 11:23)

So which of those on show last night will follow in the footsteps of Ronaldo and which in the footsteps of Luke Chadwick?

Rafael looks very promising whenever I have seen him, and I reckon he'll hit the big time.

Obertan is very reminiscent of Ronaldo before he became world class, does good and bad things by turns, could go either way in the long-term, a definite contender for the Peter Beardsley ugly mug dream team.

Wellbeck looks a Ched Evans type of player, i.e would be great in the Championship, but then it is so, so difficult to come through the ranks in that position at a top club.

Bob the Baker, Preston (26/11/2009 at 11:36)

steve wilson
26/11/2009 at 10:39

I'm afraid that I am far from being a Master of my craft,though I must admit that I'm very good at it! Thanks for the complement though.

However,I suspect that you are alluding to an act that rhymes with Master Baker.That,my friend I will leave to you & your other red armchair supporters.Probably unlike yourselves,I have a Mrs Baker to more than adequately accomodate me in that field.

Tick tock tick tock.By the way,how many points have you taken off the big 4 this season so far?

The man from Laramie, What's the ticking I can hear? (26/11/2009 at 11:44)

I think I can safely say that I am speaking for every 'Rag' (sorry I meant Red) in the World when I say that I am sick and tired of all the' Bitter Billys' coming onto our websites and criticising and laughing at our beloved 'Rags' (sorry I meant Reds).
Let's have it right they may have the best 'Fast food' stalls outside their rented accomodation, they may have no debt and they may have just a little bit more money in the kitty than we have but what else have they got? And why oh why do they always say 'tick tock' at the end (are they trying to tell us 'Rags' (sorry I meant Reds) that time is running out for us?
And I will tell you something else for nothing, the 'Bitter Billys' won't be turning up at rented 'Badlands' any time in the next 10 years and having to pay £48 for the pleasure of watching the 'Rags' (sorry I mean Reds) reserve/youth team get beaten by a team of Turkish part timers.
Tick Tock (God they have even got me saying it!)

VIVA JOHN O'SHEA.. (26/11/2009 at 12:12)

I love seeing all these comments from City fans on here. it really makes me smile when they comment on Champions league games.
I think the fact that we can aford to play our reserves in the champions league when they have to put out there best team in the carling cup says it all..got a long long way to go yet chaps!

Freeman S. (26/11/2009 at 12:21)

I haven’t read the comments on here this morning. There’s 85% negativity here after a win, so one can only imagine what it is now. But I think it was an encouraging first half, but for the deflected shot. After that, the Turks did something that they are very good at, defending with all men behind the ball. They haven’t let in a goal for five or six matches, and one can understand why. Cunning and clever, good organization, good physique at the back kept our young strikers tight and reduced their movement, which made it hard for our (just a bit more experienced) midfielders to find openings to pass or run at, and which made it easier for the defending midfielders (at times six of them) to run and tackle our supply line, reducing our chances even more. A more mature set-up, or even a more set one (this was the first time the played together in a match), would probably have been a lot bigger handful for Besiktas, with their movement, power and technique, but the young ones will have learned an awful lot about what it takes at the highest level. That’s education they wouldn’t get anywhere else! And although most of you won’t believe it, just because they had a bad start, the Turkish champions are quite a good team, probably better than 50% of the Premier League.

Duncan, London (26/11/2009 at 12:30)

Patrick McCloughlin - Welbeck is a better prospect than O'Shea.

Mr Manchester (26/11/2009 at 12:50)

The man from Laramie: you're really funny! You should be on stage!

One with a guillotine.

RED ARMY 1999, swinton (26/11/2009 at 13:19)

Can anyone tell me what this tick tock banter is all about? Am i right in believing city fans think its the time ticking regards a shift of power in Manchester? Do me a favour Blues ring me an ambulance as i need my sides stitching back up.

MASSIVE clubs r us, salford (26/11/2009 at 13:37)

nice to see that we are in a position to try new things with the kids , cant remember ever seeing the council house doing it , wonder why sugar daddy hasnt invested in a club that actually owns a ground ???????. as the berties say TICK yawn TOCK

A manc and blue.,, England (26/11/2009 at 14:22)

I have to admit that City are a million miles away from having so many talented youngsters coming through. As for champions league. We just have to watch on in envy.....

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