Ferguson keeps the faith

United boss feels no need to overhaul his squad

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 30th June 2008

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Ferguson: Happy with squad

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Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson will trust his old guard to do the business again next season.

The Red Devils chief has revealed that he plans to make just one addition to his squad ahead of the 2008/09 campaign, a fitting tribute to a side which secured Premier League and UEFA Champions League success last year.

The veteran coach believes he already has the requisite blend of youth and experience within his ranks and feels no need to meddle with a unit which has already proven its worth on countless occasions.

"I think we have a good team," the United boss said.

Triumph

"But I think there is still some development to come.

"There are some young players who appeared last season that did very well but for periods showed their youthfulness by being inconsistent.

"Those young players will come on a bundle now.

"That triumph of winning the league and the Champions League can only help us and players like Anderson, Nani, (Wayne) Rooney and (Cristiano) Ronaldo will emerge from that and be really top players for us.

"Nani and Anderson will improve and that is the reason we bought them, to replace (Paul) Scholes and (Ryan) Giggs in the long term.

Quality

"Giggs is 34 now but with the way we can control the number of games he plays, he still gives us a bit of real quality.

"He won't play every game but if he gives me 25 games of real quality, which he can do because he has looked after himself, that can keep us at the forefront in terms of players who can decide matches.

"And without question Scholes will give us another couple of years at the top level.

"(Edwin) van der Sar has looked after himself, that's the key to it first of all, and he will be back for us.

"He will get a good break now.

"I've told him to take as much of a holiday as he wants because at his age he knows what's best for him."

Character

Ferguson also confirmed that Gary Neville will retain his role of club captain as he returns to the first-team fold next term.

"Of course at 33 it is always difficult if you have been out of the team for a year," he added.

"But he is such a determined character that you wouldn't bet against him and if he does, it gives us another string to our bow in terms of experience which is important at stages of the season.

"He still has the desire and of course he is the captain of the club and that will give him the incentive to get back."