Fergie blasts critics of youth

United boss stands up for young side which lost to Besiktas

Last updated: 30th November 2009  

Fergie blasts critics of youth

Ferguson: Defended young side

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Sir Alex Ferguson has hit out at critics of the young Manchester United side which lost 1-0 to Besiktas last week.

The Red Devils slumped to a shock 1-0 defeat in the UEFA Champions League as Ferguson elected to field most of the young players that steered United to last season's Carling Cup success.

Ferguson is upset at criticism levelled at the side after the game, believing it was another step on the youngsters' learning curve to get to the very top level.

He said: "Those lads need to be challenged and I thought they did OK.

"They did not deserve that kind of criticism.

"Those same people will be going cap in hand to them, begging them for interviews in a few years' time, mark my words. It is so hypocritical."

Cup clash

Ferguson is set to play most of his young players in Tuesday night's Carling Cup quarter-final against Tottenham, which is being shown live on Sky Sports 2 and Sky Sports HD2 at 8pm.

"I don't need to motivate them with what has been said," said Ferguson. "Their future is well mapped out.

"But the one thing we cannot give them is an old head, which is what we saw in the last third of the pitch last week.

"They got anxious. They created good chances and they hurried the thing. But that is not the biggest crime in the world.

"We are not talking about ability here. We are talking about experience and in that sense is starting to stack up. That is why we have to play them."

Fletcher view

Darren Fletcher also believes it is right for United to stick with the youth players for the cup clash with Spurs.

"We don't dismiss the Carling Cup at all," he said.

"It has been an important competition for the younger players and lads on the fringes of the squad for many years.

"Last year the lads went all the way to the final and won it. What a great achievement that was.

"For people like Ben Foster, Jonny Evans and Darron Gibson to win their first trophy provided them invaluable experience which will stay with them for the rest of their careers.

"We have so many games these players are an integral part of the squad.

"It is vitally important for them to go through the experiences they are getting just now because ultimately, it is going to make them better players."