11. Fergies Fledgings
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcPymVRVOus You will never win anything with kids,
Alan Hanson once infamously remarked and this dour quip will be used against Hanson forever. He was however partly right because though United won spectacularly with the group of players termed Fergies Fledglings, it was the combination of their raw talent harnessed alongside the steel and experienced heads of Roy Keane, Eric Cantona, Peter Schmeichel and Steve Bruce that made such a winning combination. There is an element of embellishment when people talk about the youngsters coming through. Its as if Fergie just chucked all 11 members of the youth team onto the pitch for the start of the 1995-96 season. Another incorrect assumption is that Ryan Giggs was a fledgling, whilst it is true that he was a member of the same FA Youth cup team as the fledglings, he was already well established in the first team before Beckham and Cos breakthrough season. Sometimes the use of the younger players is cited as a kind of reckless gamble by Fergie and this does him a disservice. It is important to note how he blended the experienced and the young, as it is proof of his excellent ability to build a team. Fergie may have a romantic streak in him but he is a pragmatist when the need arises and all his decisions and everything he does is geared towards one thing, to win at all costs. He did not introduce young players with the vague romantic notion that it would emulate Matt Busby; he did it to freshen up the side, so they would keep on winning. Looking back at this side it is a startling revelation, considering all the talk of the fledglings, to see that the defence, whilst including G Neville at right back, consisted mostly of Irwin, Pallister and Bruce! Other notable names still in the squad and getting playing time included Paul Parker, Brian McClair and Lee Sharpe (who made 21 league appearances in this double winning year and scored 4 league goals). That is not to downplay the impact of these young players, Fergies fledglings were memorable; Beckham, Gary Neville, Scholes, Phil Neville and Nicky Butt all made a big impact in this season and would become established England players. But more significant was the fact that Fergie had begun to shape another great team and that would help him achieve evermore success in the years ahead.