Fergie hints at departures

Young stars to depart on loan

By James Pearson   Last updated: 28th September 2007

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson

Fergie: Hints at loan deals

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Sir Alex Ferguson has hinted a number of his budding Manchester United stars will go out on loan following the club's Carling Cup exit to Coventry.

The Red Devils boss had earmarked the competition for a number of squad players to garner additional first-team experience.

However, following the 2-0 defeat to Coventry at Old Trafford, Ferguson believes some youngsters will have to leave due to the competition for places at United.

Ferguson has stated the likes of Gerard Pique and Danny Simpson could be utilised by the first team, leaving the likes of Jonny Evans, Chris Eagles, Lee Martin and Dong Fangzhuo open to leaving.

"They've not had enough football as a team," he said on Sky Sports News. "We looked at the League Cup as an avenue for these players to play in.

"Now that's gone I think we'll have to review the situation with one or two of them going on loan, because they do need football.

"With (Gary) Neville and (Owen) Hargreaves coming back we've got a good strong squad. There'll have to be some that we have to keep.

"Pique was excellent on Wednesday. He was our best player along with Anderson. We'll probably keep Simpson as he can play both full-back positions.

"But I'm maybe looking at the rest going on loan as they need to play football."

Meanwhile, Ferguson believes his side's 2-0 success over Chelsea last weekend was overshadowed by referee Mike Dean's decisions.

The Blues found themselves a man light following John Obi Mikel's dismissal, however, Ferguson thinks Carlos Tevez's goal before half-time was the game-breaker.

"I don't think that we get the press that we deserved really," he continued.

"I think it was clouded by the face that the sending off seemed to cost them the game, I don't think so.

"I think the goal at half-time cost them the game. Thereafter we were in complete control of the match.

"To my mind they had one shot at goal from (Andrei) Shevchenko which was about a yard over the bar."