Sir Alex Ferguson is confident United can continue to produce
young talent that will rival the renowned Class of 92, continuing
the tradition at the Old Trafford of developing home-grown
talent.
The Reds boss has always adhered to the blueprint laid down by Sir
Matt Busby to coach and craft the clubs own talent through the
youth system.
Even in footballs current climate, where money brings in
ready-made top talent from anywhere in the world, it is a tradition
Sir Alex is not only one he is keen to continue, but one he
believes is an intrinsic part of Uniteds ability to remain at the
top.
Interview in the latest issue of Inside United magazine, he was
asked if he thought there would ever be a repeat of a group of
players coming through the ranks like the famous Class of 92. We
certainly hope so, he said. This clubs history is steeped in the
production of young players and I think it would be an insult to
the youngsters we have here to suggest that we couldnt find
players of a similar quality although it is difficult.
Looking back down the years, Sir Matt produced a conveyor belt of
exceptional young players and I think weve done quite well
compared to other clubs in England. We have a great academy system
here where the lads can also get a good education.
There are great facilities and there is no reason why we cant see
more and more exceptional talent coming through and breaking into
the first team.
The process for bringing young players through has changed rapidly
down the years. And, in a bid to help the players be fully prepared
for first team football, Sir Alex is utilising the tactic of
loaning out players more frequently to bridge the gap between the
Reserves and the first team.
United currently have 12 players farmed out to other clubs across
Europe. Even though the Reds have players in England, Scotland,
Belgium, Holland and Denmark, Sir Alex is kept comprehensively up
to date with their progress.
We have a terrific network of scouts who report on how theyre
doing, he said. Jim Ryan (director of youth football) in
particular, he went to Antwerp to watch the lads we have there, so
we get full reports on how all the boys are getting on.
We hear about Chris Eagles, who is at NEC Nijmegen in Holland,
while Paul le Guen calls me after each game to tell me how Phil
Bardsley and Lee Martin are getting on up at Rangers, and we can
watch Ben Foster at Watford hes doing extremely well and Tim
Howard at Everton."
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