Papers: Youth under scrutiny

28/09/2007

You're not fit to wear the shirt
If anyone doubts whether Sir Alex Ferguson really cares about losing to Coventry in the Carling Cup, they should have heard the manager berating his supporting cast after they again fluffed their lines on the big stage. But even Ferguson must be wondering if something stronger than a hairdryer is needed to tackle the malaise that seems to have gripped his much-vaunted Manchester United youngsters. Eleven months after publicly criticising his reserves for needing extra-time to stumble past Crewe in the second round of the same competition only to lose at Southend, the United boss was incensed they had failed to take the hint.
Chris Wheeler, Daily Mail

A simliar theme continues across the tabloids today, with many also drawing comparisons between United's production line and that of neighbours Manchester City, who have recently produced Micah Richards, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Joey Barton, Stephen Ireland, Michael Johnson and Nedum Onuoha.

The Sun claim Reds season ticket holders are growing "increasingly disenchanted" with the club's automatic cup ticket scheme, while The Daily Mirror claims Sir Alex "turfed" Lee Martin and Phil Bardsley into the Reserves squad after Wednesday's showing.

Round up by Nick Coppack