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18 July 2010 THE NEW PAPER ON SUNDAY

GOLF BREAKTHROUGH:
Danny Chia is first Malaysian to make the cut at British Open. Page 51

DEAL OFF:
Manny-Mayweather Jr boxing showdown cancelled as latter fails to respond. Page 55

KENNETH CHEW
npsports@sph.com.sg OULL never win anything with kids. That was Scottish pundit Alan Hansens scything comment after Manchester United had crashed to a 3-1 defeat at Aston Villa on the first day of the 1995-1996 Premier League season. But 12 months later, Hansen was forced to eat his words after Sir Alex Fergusons young team celebrated a League and Cup double.

THEN AND NOW: Above, the

Fergie Fledglings of 1993. Do you recognise Beckham, Scholes, Butt and the Neville brothers? Left, some of the starlets of 2010.
PICTURES: ACTION IMAGES, AP

FERGIE KNOWS
THE likes of the Neville brothers (Gary and Phil), Paul Scholes, David Beckham and Ryan Giggs would shoot to prominence that season, and form the backbone of the United side for years to come. Fast-forward 14 years, and the signs are there that history looks set to repeat itself, with a suspicious lack of transfer activity through the revolving gates of Old Trafford. As rivals Chelsea and cross-town foes Manchester City hog the headlines by splashing out millions on glitzy new superstars, Fergie has come out to speak of yet another assault on the title for the Red Devils, spearheaded by youth this upcoming season.

And with only a couple of relatively low-key arrivals at Old Trafford during the off-season, the clubs promising youngsters will be given the opportunities to take centre-stage, guided by several established veterans along the way.

CLASS OF 2010
MEXICAN striking sensation Javier Hernandez could not have arrived at a better time, with Dimitar Berbatov and Michael Owen having never convinced at Old Trafford. Ferguson will hope Hernandez can replicate his scintillating performances in South Africa for the Red Devils, and help take some weight off the shoulders of Wayne Rooney. Likewise, the promising duo of Federico Macheda and Danny Welbeck will look to reignite their promising, if stop-start careers. The goalscoring responsibilities at Old Trafford certainly look to be in good hands for years to come. Doubts however, hang over the futures of defensive stalwarts Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand and Gary Neville. As such, 7 million centre-half Chris Small-

TRADITION
THE history of Manchester United is quite simple. Its always been based on young people, and thats where were more comfortable, Ferguson told The Mirror. As such, the Red Devils have always had an emphasis on producing players through the youth system. Its a fantastically satisfying thing, said Ferguson.

ing recruit looks set to be the future at the heart of the United defence, alongside Jonny Evans and the Brazilian twins, fullbacks Rafael and Fabio. In midfield, Sir Alex has earmarked Evans younger brother Corry and Oliver Gill, alongside the more established Darron Gibson as among the players to watch this season. The youngsters have already impressed in pre-season, with a pair of late strikes from Welbeck and Tom Cleverley, another promising midfielder who starred at Watford on loan last season, sealing a 3-1 win against Scottish giants Celtic on tour in Canada. Even Fergie has spoken of the improbability that an entire crop of youngsters would emerge together again as they did in the mid 1990s, but the talent is undoubted in this Class of 2010. So will they be good enough to reclaim the EPL title from Chelsea or even rock cash-rich cross-town rivals Manchester City? Only time will tell.

YOUNG DEVILS STAR IN 3-1 WIN AGAINST CELTIC /Page 62

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Sir Alex will bank on young talent to spur Man United this season