Young guns up for Fergie’s challenge

RIO FERDINAND insists Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson “will not bat an eyelid” about pairing youngsters Wes Brown and John O’Shea at the heart of his defence against FC Basel tonight.

The Red Devils begin the second group stage of the Champions League away in Switzerland without first-choice defenders Ferdinand who has a thigh injury and now Laurent Blanc after the veteran Frenchman sustained a calf problem.

With Gary Neville also out, it leaves Ferguson with young Irishman O'Shea and Brown himself just back from a three-month lay-off.