Brazilian joins United as youth coach

Manchester United have appointed Brazilian-born Francisco Filho as youth coach at Old Trafford.

Filho is the man United hope will get the stars rolling off the Red Devils' youth talent production line again.

Filho has joined as Under-17 coach after spending 29 years at the French Football Academy in Clarefontaine.

Filho's work with the French helped bring on a number of their recent big names, including Jean-Pierre Papin and Thierry Henry, and helped build the foundation of the side which captured the World Cup in 1998.

Ferguson has been showing signs of concern at the lack of home-grown talent coming into the first team in recent times.

Since the era which spawned Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, Paul Scholes and the Neville brothers, only Wes Brown has enjoyed a lengthy first team stint.

Even Brown's development has been questioned by outsiders when compared with the progress new signing Rio Ferdinand has made over the past couple of years.

With the prices now being paid for the top-notch players growing markedly despite the introduction of the Bosman Ruling, Ferguson hopes this move will save United millions in the transfer market.

"I am extremely pleased to have Francisco join us," Ferguson told the club's official website manutd.com

"He is an experienced coach whose knowledge of the game is insightful and I am sure the players will look forward to working with him."

Chief executive Peter Kenyon added: "To have someone of Francisco's calibre here is fantastic.

"The youth team is an integral part of Manchester United especially if we are to continue developing the football of the future."