Manchester United FC: There IS pressure on the youngsters, Darron Gibson

Dec 3 2009 by Our Correspondent, Daily Post

Manchester United FC: DON’T tell Darron Gibson that Manchester United’s youngsters can play without pressure.

If anything, the Republic of Ireland star believes Tuesday’s Carling Cup tie with Tottenham was even more important than a normal Premier League game.

Sir Alex Ferguson might have stated last week that there comes a time in every young player’s career when they can no longer be held back.

But, in a squad that contains Paul Scholes, Michael Carrick, Anderson, Darren Fletcher and Owen Hargreaves as competition in central midfield, plus Ryan Giggs when the veteran Welshman is not deployed out wide, every chance needs to be grabbed with both hands.

“I would say there was more pressure on us,” said Gibson following the 2-0 victory, in which he scored both goals.

“We have to go out and prove we can play in the Premier League every week.

“That is exactly what I felt we did, even with the team we had on the pitch.”

In fact, Ferguson has already acted to secure one of the teenagers on duty against Spurs on a long-term contract.

The four-year extension handed to Federico Macheda is confirmation of the talent that has not just been recognised at Old Trafford, but also in Italy, where the 18-year-old has worked his way into the national under-21 squad.

Yet, for Macheda, just as with every potential star who rolls off the United production line, there was a reminder from his manager that two memorable late goals against Aston Villa and Sunderland last spring that proved so helpful in steering the Red Devils towards a third successive title, do not in themselves guarantee anything.

“Everyone at the club recognises the fantastic talent he has and we hope to see that develop in the next years, so he becomes a well-rounded player,” said Ferguson.

At 22, Gibson is much further down that road.

Indeed, the time is fast approaching when Ferguson will have to decide whether there is enough promise to persevere, as he did with Fletcher, or advise him the future would be more rosy elsewhere, as Chris Eagles found out when he joined Burnley two years ago.

Gibson, who was born in Derry but invoked the Good Friday Agreement to pursue his preference to play for the Republic of Ireland, should have more opportunities.

Next week’s Champions League trip to Wolfsburg is an obvious one, while Ferguson has already pledged to stick with Tuesday night’s squad for the two-legged semi-final next month.

Once the Carling Cup campaign is over, Ferguson will have limited scope for experiment until the destination of this season’s title is determined.

Little wonder Gibson is putting everything into his work on the training ground, especially in the shooting department – which paid rich dividends on Wednesday with two memorable first-half strikes.

“We have been working all week in training on quick play and getting shots off around the box,” he said. “It paid off with those two goals.”