Sir Alex defends young stars

The boss defiantly states that his intent to play them against Tottenham in the Carling Cup on Tuesday will not be swayed.

Opportunities were given to six players under the age of 22: Danny Welbeck (then 18), Federico Macheda (18), Rafael (19), Gabriel Obertan (20), Anderson (21) and Darron Gibson (22).

“It will be the same players that played on Wednesday,” he said of his team for Tuesday’s visit of Harry Redknapp’s side. “Their future is well marked out, I think.”

“Of course they will grow from that experience. I was confident of playing them, and they had every right to play. They will play on Tuesday, too.”