Ferguson hands out presents but future is far from rosy

IT said everything about his team’s performance that the most positive news for Alex Ferguson over the weekend came from across the English Channel.

On a day when the Manchester United manager afforded Gabriel Obertan and Bebe the opportunity to demonstrate they are the club’s future, an injury to André-Pierre Gignac lifted spirits after a lacklustre FA Cup performance against non-league opposition.

Of course it is never good news when an opposition player is sidelined, but United fly to France tomorrow knowing they will not have to face Gignac in Wednesday’s Champions League tie at Marseille after the in-form forward suffered a groin injury on Saturday.