Fergie backs United youths to progress to final
United slipped to a 1-0 defeat in front of a phenomenal 38,000 crowd in the first-leg of their semi-final clash with Arsenal last month.
Having been surprised that such a relatively young and physically slender Red Devils side should reach the last four in the first place, Ferguson could be forgiven for being slightly pessimistic about United’s chances of overturning the deficit at Old Trafford.
However, the Scot has seen enough of both sides to believes his own youngsters have the ability to emulate the likes of Ryan Giggs, David Beckham and Bobby Charlton as United Youth Cup winners.
“At the start, I could not see how they could win the Youth Cup,” admitted Ferguson.
“I thought they were too young and too small. But one or two of them have developed very well physically over the last few months and they will win on Monday night.”
It is a matter of irritation at United that Arsenal are lauded so much for their youth development work when the Red Devils have actually won the prestigious U18’s tournament a record nine times.
Even since the astonishing ‘class of ‘92, featuring Giggs, Beckham, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt, Gary Neville, Robbie Savage and Keith Gillespie emerged, United have continued to produce a steady stream of internationals.
Belfast-born defender Craig Cathcart is the most advanced of the current crop, having found himself on the first-team bench for the recent FA Cup quarter-final victory over Middlesbrough.
But midfielder Sam Hewson is also attracting plenty of attention, as well as keeper Ben Amos.
“Arsenal always get great credit for their youth sides, with people saying they are the best in the land, but I don’t believe they are as good as ours,” said Ferguson.
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