“There will be young players involved in each game”

Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed that he will be giving youth a chance during pre season, with Jesse Lingard and Robbie Brady set to get a look in against AmaZulu tomorrow.

United travelled to South Africa with a squad laden with youth, with the likes of Davide Petrucci, Frederic Veseli, Tyler Blackett and Ryan Tunnicliffe all amongst the travelling party.

Speaking this morning Sir Alex confirmed that the young players will be featuring in all 3 of the games on United’s DHL Tour with Brady and Lingard set to benefit first, taking part in the game against AmaZulu:

“Obviously the priority is to get the fitness of the experienced players correct. But there will be young players involved in each game because I don’t have the full quota with me.

“Jesse Lingard has been doing well and Brady will play at left-back because even though he is an outside left, we feel he has the quality to develop into a left-back.”

There was also good news on the injury front, with Sir Alex claiming that both Nemanja Vidic and Chris Smalling would be back from injury in time for the season’s start.

Vidic has been out with a knee injury since December, whilst a groin injury at the tail end of the season saw Smalling miss the European Championships. However last season’s standout Jonny Evans is still getting over an ankle injury:

“Jonny has had an operation. I am not sure he will start the season but he won’t be far away.

“Chris Smalling has done a bit of training.

“The ruptured groin muscle he had certainly needed a lot of attention.

“He is gradually progressing and I expect him to start the season.

“Vidic will start the season, I am sure of that.

“He is still at the level of doing good amounts of training but not in the competitive sense that the others have done so it was pointless bringing him out here.

“He is better being back at Carrington, with all the facilities and the physios to get him to the next level.

“By the time we get back, we hope he is at the competitive element of his comeback.”