Sir Alex: Timing key for debuts

"When somebody like Paul McGuinness comes to me and says: 'He's a first-team player', then I know to keep a special eye on the player."

- Sir Alex Ferguson

Pictured left to right: Sir Alex with two loyal Academy servants, Jimmy Ryan and Paul McGuinness

28/11/2011 10:57, Report by Adam Marshall

Sir Alex Ferguson has explained the detailed process that is followed when he considers whether to hand a youngster his debut.

The progress of a number of last season's FA Youth Cup-winners for Warren Joyce's Reserves has inevitably led to suggestions that more new faces could feature in Wednesday's Carling Cup tie against Crystal Palace. Zeki Fryers, Larnell Cole, Paul Pogba and Michael Keane have already made their first-team bow in the competition this term, to demonstrate that the Carrington production line is still in fine working order.

"The monitoring system here is good and there's a lot of consistency with our Academy staff," says Sir Alex in the new edition of Inside United. "These are guys that have been here a long time and know what to look for. When somebody like Paul McGuinness comes to me and says: 'He's a first-team player', then I know to keep a special eye on the player.

"From there, we'll bring the boy into first-team training for a couple of sessions. That's what we're doing at the moment with Paul Pogba, Ravel Morrison, Jesse Lingard, Zeki Fryers, Larnell Cole and Michael Keane. They're all training with the first team.

"That allows me to see how they cope playing against seasoned professionals, it lets me judge their temperament. It allows me to get a far better picture of how they're progressing. And, while this is going on, you hope they're playing well for the Reserves and displaying the right attitude and enthusiasm.

"Players are never simply thrown into first-team action," he asserted. "They always follow this step-by-step process.

"I don't think we've ever been off the mark and given a boy his chance too early. That can be very damaging. If he's not up to the standards we require at United, then we don't venture there. The last thing we'd want is to humiliate a player. I'm not saying every player I've ever given a debut to has gone on to be a fantastic player at this club, but most of them have at least forged successful careers."

source : Manutd

Boss: Draw was a travesty

26/11/2011 17:19, Report by Adam Marshall

Sir Alex Ferguson felt his Manchester United players were hugely unlucky not to take three points from the tussle with Newcastle United at Old Trafford.

The Reds went ahead through Javier Hernandez shortly after half-time but were pegged back by Demba Ba's penalty after Rio Ferdinand's tackle on Hatem Ben Arfa inside the box. Despite carving out a host of chances, the champions were unable to beat Tim Krul and his solid defence for a second time, even though the Magpies went down to ten men after Jonas Gutierrez's red card.

"It was a fantastic performance from us," said Sir Alex. "Alan Pardew said Newcastle were the better team in the first half - I don't know what game he was at! Chicharito had four clear chances and we played some great football. The second half was just an onslaught and to not get three points from that is just a travesty.

"I'm not concerned if we're playing like that. Most of the time, we'd score three or four goals in that game. Their goalkeeper made some fantastic saves, there were shots blocked, cleared off the line and we had one or two bad misses. So it's just an incredible result."

The boss was obviously upset to see referee Mike Jones point to the spot after consulting his assistant on what looked to be a clean challenge by Ferdinand in the second half.

"I think it was everyone's view [that it was a fair tackle], including the referee as he thought Rio won the ball because he gave the corner kick," explained Sir Alex. "He let the assistant referee over-rule him.

"We had a situation a few weeks ago when the linesman gave a penalty kick to Sunderland for handball [against Nemanja Vidic].

"The referee [that day] was put in a terrible quandary in between what to do as he knew fine well it wasn't a penalty and over-ruled his linesman. It's what the referee should have done today."

The manager also bemoaned the crucial touch from Michael Carrick which meant Hernandez was in an offside position as he tucked in Ryan Giggs' injury-time cross.

"We kept making chances and that's the normal pattern of these last 15-minute surges," he added. "We do get chances and usually do okay. We were unlucky with the offside as, if Michael doesn't touch it, Chicharito is onside.

"They had a few blocks and put their bodies on the line all the time. Give credit to Newcastle but we absolutely slaughtered them and we just couldn't get the result. It's disappointing in that respect but, if we play like that every week, I'll be very happy."

source : Manutd

Boss has personal touch

11/11/2011 10:00, Report by Adam Marshall

"Just in the way he speaks with you in the team-talk, before important games he can make you feel like it’s the last game you’ll play in your life so you go out there and want to give everything you have. It’s great - you just need to be there to see it."
- Dimitar Berbatov, MUTV

Dimitar Berbatov feels Sir Alex is one of the best man-managers in the game as the boss always manages to motivate his troops.

The Bulgarian has had to make the most of his opportunities due to squad rotation this term but realises the manager is always acting in the best interests of the team with his selections.

"Every player is different," he explained to MUTV. "Some players need to be pushed and others need to be talked to separately. For me, he just needs to come to me and tell me what to expect from the game and the training ground, then it is up to me to show I can play every game.

"I cannot speak for other players, but it is always good when the manager comes to ask how you're feeling and makes you feel calm before you play the game. For me, he knows how to motivate you and how to speak with you, about football or some issues you have outside of football.

"Just in the way he speaks with you in the team-talk, before important games he can make you feel like it’s the last game you’ll play in your life so you go out there and want to give everything you have. It’s great - you just need to be there to see it."

Berbatov believes Sir Alex always has his eye on the bigger picture, even if he's keen to mix with the players and keep spirits high.

"Every time a players retires or goes to another club, he always a back-up plan on how to replace the player and build the team again," added the former Spurs striker.

"The way he treats players is unbelievable. Even when not playing or you’re injured, he's still speaking with you and encouraging. He makes you feel special and lets you know your place in the team.

"Even when we’re on the training ground or go to lunch, for example, it’s like he is one of the team - joking around and telling stories, asking quiz questions.

"He really likes the quiz questions and it's good because he relates with the players and he's really good like that."

source : Manutd