Boss Heralds United Defence

Sir Alex Ferguson has spoken of his satisfaction at knowing United are well-stocked when it comes to having quality players at the heart of the defence.

The continually impressive centre-back partnership between Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Evans has helped the Reds cope admirably without long-term injury victim and skipper Nemanja Vidic.

Add the ever-improving Chris Smalling and Phil Jones to the mix and Sir Alex believes things look extremely healthy in terms of top-drawer centre-back options.

"Hopefully - and I think I am right - we are in a really strong position with centre-backs," the boss told reporters on Friday.

"Ferdinand and Evans have been absolutely superb. Their understanding has grown. Jonny has hit fantastic form and Rio's experience has been important. Jones and Smalling were bought for the long-term and have proved they can play in other positions as well.

"When Vidic comes back at the start of next season - he won't travel with us on the pre-season tour but will certainly be ready for the start of the season, we will have a strong defensive core. I can pick and choose whatever two I fancy or whatever two are in consistent form."

The re-emergence of Evans, in Vidic's absence, has been what's really caught the eye in recent months. Indeed, the Northern Ireland international has recaptured the brilliant form he produced during the 2008/09 campaign in which United set a new record for clean sheets in the league.

"The boy is 24 now and has definitely matured," added Sir Alex. "Although he is young, he has had a lot of experience. He had a year on loan at Sunderland after he'd been on loan at Antwerp for a while and you find when they have had that experience it definitely helps them when they get a run in the team."

And behind Evans and co. is a goalkeeper whom Sir Alex feels is going to become one of the game's very best.

"I expected David [De Gea] to make a contribution the minute he arrived at the club because our homework on the lad since he was a young kid has always been really positive. We always felt he was going to be top," insisted the boss.

"To get into the Atletico Madrid team at 18 and win the Europa League, you can't deny that performance level and ability. That is why we went for him.

"As we said at the time, even Peter Schmeichel found it difficult coming into the English game in his first few games. So did David. He made mistakes but we forgive that at 21. He doesn't have the experience Peter Schmeichel had. He was 27 when he joined us.

"De Gea is getting better with every game," added Sir Alex. "He kept us in the game at Blackburn [last Monday] with three fantastic saves. His form and maturity at the club is going to be key to us. He has been fantastic and his confidence is high."