Boss Promotes Integration

Sir Alex enjoys watching his latest batch of youth products training with the first-team at Carrington.

The United boss is adept at integrating youngsters into his plans and is carefully nurturing another talented group of teenagers, who already have the FA Youth Cup under their belts.

"The youngsters have taken part in a lot of first-team training now," explained the boss. "[Ravel] Morrison, [Paul] Pogba, [Larnell] Cole, [Jesse] Lingard and [Zeki] Fryers: we've stepped them up to our squad.

"They enjoy the challenge and it's an opportunity for us to see what they're like in these sessions, how they cope with the older players. It's how they handle the likes of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic if they give them a bit of stick... it's a good part of a young player's progress when they can be involved with the big boys."

The situation is not new for United, as the fabled "Class of 92" had a famous tussle with their senior counterparts in order to measure their progress.

"I used to threaten Bryan Robson all the time and tell him the 1992 team would beat you," revealed Sir Alex. "We did have a practice game together, the first team versus the Class of 92.

"The first team won 3-1 and Robson was in one of his angry moods. He was very determined that day! It was brilliant, they were absolutely revved up for it and the young boys were thinking: 'Why are we doing this and can we beat them'? There was an element of doubt in them and I think there was a lot of intimidation going on. I can't remember who was referee but it wasn't me!"