How good is our Carling Cup squad?

Chris H · 27th February 2009, 06:10

I'm attaching the article below because I thought it was interesting, even though only tangentially relevant to my real reason for posting, which is to ask the following question:

If they had to play in the Premiership, where do you think they would finish? Assume a squad with everyone under the age of 25: Evans, the twins, Welbeck, Nani, Anderson, Gibson, Possebon, Ronaldo, Rooney, Fletcher, Tevez...and Foster in goal. With Rooney and Ronaldo healthy, I think they could finish 3rd. What say you? Apologies if this has already been discussed.

Quote:

United's youngsters draw strength from playing with seniors
By Ian Herbert
Friday, 27 February 2009

The Manchester United squad facing Tottenham Hotspur in Sunday's Carling Cup final will resemble something Arsène Wenger has assembled but Sir Alex Ferguson revealed that the presence of Danny Welbeck and Darron Gibson, who may start the game, along with Rodrigo Possebon, Rafael and Fabio Da Silva, are the product of a plan he hatched with former assistant Carlos Queiroz several years ago. "Some time ago, [Carlos and] I took a deliberate decision that the way forward with our youngsters was that as soon as we identified they had the quality and temperament to become first team players, then we would bring them into the squad and let them train with the seniors," Ferguson revealed. "This has made a huge difference to their readiness for the big time and they are able to make the most of a first team chance as and when it comes along."

The strategy has had its challenges, not least congested training sessions. "Our sessions can be quite hectic and crowded at times but we have the coaching staff to cope," Ferguson said. But with reserve team football, to Ferguson's mind, not offering an adequate test as it did in the days when United's fabled class of '92 was coming to the fore, exposure to the senior players has been essential. "It has enabled our young players to step up with more confidence than if they were coming straight out of the reserves and into the first team," the manager added.

Setbacks along the way have included the defeat at Old Trafford to Coventry City in last season's Carling Cup third round which left Ferguson claiming he was "flabbergasted". That was an inauspicious debut night for Evans, who was vital to United's side in San Siro on Tuesday. There was also the 1-0 first leg defeat at Pride Park, Derby, this season, about which the United manager was more sanguine. But Welbeck's emergence, with three goals in his eight appearances, put with Rafael da Silva's lightning impression and the temperament and class of Evans, an injury doubt for Sunday, makes this arguably the most exciting season for United home-grown talent since Gary Neville, David Beckham and Paul Scholes burst onto the scene. A far cry, too, from Liverpool's paucity of such talent – a source of frustration to Rafael Benitez.

MUFC07 · 27th February 2009, 06:15

Third? That would leave Chelsea and Villa above us right?

I think with u-25s that would include Ronaldo, Rooney and Tevez, it would be a tough job to get to 3rd considering injuries and suspensions. Don't forget one of the strong things in this team is the balance between youth and experience.
Besides that, I think it's a great squad and if all the league had to play with U-25s we would win it by a mile.

Gazza · 27th February 2009, 06:37

Good stuff, although am I right in saying the only players in the squad who were genuinely homegrown are probably Evans, Welbeck, and Gibson? The Brazilians already had professional clubs as far as I know and obviously Ben Foster was at Stoke before us. Still, some really exciting young players at United, and they play the United way, which is what matters most.

Tibs · 27th February 2009, 10:36

1st place

sincher · 27th February 2009, 10:40

5th or 6th right now - would be too short of experience at the back to go higher.

INF-AMOS · 27th February 2009, 10:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by sincher

5th or 6th right now - would be too short of experience at the back to go higher.

Agree but 3rd or 4th, the defence is the problem.

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27th February 2009, 06:15	#2 (permalink)
MUFC07 First Team Sub Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Mexico City. "I'm looking for abstract ways of expressing reality, abstract forms that will enlighten my own mistery" Eric Cantona Posts: 5,372	Third? That would leave Chelsea and Villa above us right? I think with u-25s that would include Ronaldo, Rooney and Tevez, it would be a tough job to get to 3rd considering injuries and suspensions. Don't forget one of the strong things in this team is the balance between youth and experience. Besides that, I think it's a great squad and if all the league had to play with U-25s we would win it by a mile.

27th February 2009, 06:37	#3 (permalink)
Gazza Magic Carpet Pilot Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: "The great thing about United, as a result of Matt Busby, is that they have a philosophy of a club that is very discernable. You know what Manchester United stand for." Posts: 26,019	Good stuff, although am I right in saying the only players in the squad who were genuinely homegrown are probably Evans, Welbeck, and Gibson? The Brazilians already had professional clubs as far as I know and obviously Ben Foster was at Stoke before us. Still, some really exciting young players at United, and they play the United way, which is what matters most.

27th February 2009, 10:36	#4 (permalink)
Tibs First Team Sub Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Gtr. Manchester Posts: 5,911	1st place

27th February 2009, 10:40	#5 (permalink)
sincher Les jeux sont Fait Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: YSC Posts: 16,467	5th or 6th right now - would be too short of experience at the back to go higher.