Sir Alex Ferguson believes Manchester United are reaping the rewards of pitching their youngsters in at the deep end.

The Red Devils boss has never been afraid to give promising talents an opportunity to impress, and continues to operate with that policy in mind.

With the club still on track to claim an unprecedented quintuple this season, Ferguson is aware of the need to have quality cover in every position.

The veteran coach does not concern himself with the age of those he entrusts with generating results, believing that if they are good enough then they are old enough.

The current campaign has seen the likes of Danny Welbeck, Darron Gibson, Rodrigo Possebon, Fabio Da Silva and Rafael Da Silva all burst onto the Old Trafford stage, with their progression into first-team stars testament to the meticulous hard work carried out by Ferguson and his coaching staff.

Quality

"Some time ago, I took a deliberate decision with (former assistant manager) Carlos Queiroz that the way forward with our youngsters was that as soon as we identified they had the quality and temperament to become first team players, then we would bring them into the squad and let them train with the seniors," revealed Ferguson.

"This has made a huge difference to their readiness for the big time and they are able to make the most of a first team chance as and when it comes along."

Ferguson admits training sessions can become crowded with so many players pushing for starting roles, but believes a big squad is an integral part of a successful side.

"This policy we have undertaken has made our training sessions quite hectic and crowded at times but we have the coaching staff to cope," he added.

"It has enabled our young players to step up with more confidence than if they were coming straight out of the reserves and into the first team."

Critics

The legendary United boss also believes that squad rotation is crucial to the development of players on the fringes of the senior side.

"When you pick lads and come a cropper, there will be some people who point a finger and criticise you for fielding a weakened team," said Ferguson.

"But you don't win every match, whatever the strength of your side.

"For the first leg at Derby (in the Carling Cup semi-finals), I am sure some of our critics felt that with a Wembley final just one step away, I should have played all the big guns.

"But I didn't have any regrets because I knew that long-term, the lads wouldn't let me down and that I was pursuing the right policy."

Ben Foster is hoping to erase his injury nightmare on Sunday by helping Manchester United claim the Carling Cup.

The England goalkeeper has been dogged by injuries over the last 18 months, but he is in line to start in goal for United on Sunday.

And Foster hopes a place at Wembley, and subsequent victory, will help him make his mark once again.

"If I do play, it'll be fantastic. To play Sunday would be an unbelievable bonus and a massive up for me," he said.

"It's been heartbreaking to watch United win things when I cannot be involved.

"Sunday could be a stage for me to remind people of what I'm about.

"My England debut was a big one for me and I played in a play-off final so I have some big matches under my belt.

"I dealt with those games reasonably well so, hopefully, this will not be any different.

"I had a reputation as a decent up-and-coming keeper and in the last couple of years, because of circumstances, I have almost faded away.

"Now I seem to be putting a run of fitness together. I'm training every day, my body feels good and I'm playing the odd first-team game.

"Sunday will be a good chance to get my name back out there and people can see that I am still around and still a good goalkeeper."

Injury jinx

Foster has failed to become United's number one, as many expected, due to his horrendous run of injuries.

He suffered ligament damage in the summer of 2007 as he returned to United from a successful loan spell at Watford.

"It has been an absolute nightmare from when I came back from Watford. It just seems to be injury after injury," he continued.

"When I had my cruciate, I knew I was going to be out for a year and that was acceptable.

"But when you get fit and then go over on your ankle and are out for six weeks and are back for a month and you break your thumb - it just seemed to be one thing after another.

"I don't want to be tarnished with the tag of being an injury-prone player. Nobody wants to be tarred with that. It has just been unlucky.

"I broke my thumb, for instance, in training. It was probably the last catch of the session. It was the day before we went to Japan so I missed that trip."

Darron Gibson has been earmarked for a starting berth on Sunday. Here the 21 year-old is appraised by assistant boss Mike Phelan and first-team coach Rene Meulensteen...

The story so far
MP: Gibbo has been with us a while and floated in and out of the squad. But this season he’s made an adjustment in mental and physical terms and seems at home in the senior group.
RM: I think he gained a lot from going out on loan. It allowed him to appreciate the quality and purpose of the training sessions here. He’s made a real transformation and now knows what’s needed to succeed.

Distinguishing features
MP: He trains well and is passionate about playing. We all know Darron is a central midfielder, but he’s had to play on the right in a few games this season and has never let us down.
RM: He has similar attributes to Michael Carrick - he’s a good passer, both simple and penetrative - and makes good runs into the box. He’s a big, strong lad.

The future
MP: His first goal [against Southampton] will have done him the world of good. All the hard work you’ve put in and all your dreams and aspirations come together in that one instant. Once you’ve done it, you want to do it again and you can see that desire in Darron.
RM: He’s improving all the time. He knows what a fantastic platform he has playing alongside so many great players. And if we pick up some injuries in midfield, it’s good to know we’ve got someone like him who can do a good job.

MANCHESTER UNITED could swoop for German striker Mario Gomez — if Carlos Tevez quits the club.

The Stuttgart striker has scored 13 goals in 19 games for the Bundesliga outfit this season and his form has caught the eye of United boss Alex Ferguson.

But Real Madrid coach Juande Ramos is also said to be keen on the 23-year-old, who has a £30million buy-out clause in his contract.

According to German newspaper Bild, Ferguson has had Gomez watched on numerous occasions this season.

And with Argie ace Tevez said to be considering his future at United due to a lack of playing time, the Red Devils supremo could turn to Gomez as a replacement.