After loosing Cristiano Ronaldo this summer, Sir Alex Ferguson has said that the player is irreplaceable so instead of trying to replace him. The system is going to be changed and he is going to believe in Man United's youngsters.

“We knew we could never replace Ronaldo," Ferguson said. "When you’ve had someone who is the best at what he does, it is no good trying to find someone to do the same job."

“And when you know you can’t replace someone or something, you look for a different way. People have misread our situation and they have underestimated our ability to improve players. That is an area where we have proved successful in the past.”

So which youngsters should Man United look for in the upcoming season?

Anderson- After joining Man United in the summer of 2007, Anderson has made many first team appearances. Anderson made his debut against Sunderland on the 1st September 2007. Anderson's scored his first goal for Man United in the 2009 pre-season in the Audi Cup against Boca Juniors. Last season Anderson made 38 appearances for United, I expect him to make many more first team appearances, step up to the plate and score more goals. This could be Anderson's season.

Danny Welbeck- Welbeck is another youngster who has made a few first team appearances for Man United. We mainly see Welbeck in the Carling Cup and FA Cup but he has also played in the Premier League. Welbeck has been with United for his entire playing career and he was called up into the first team in January 2008. Welbeck made his first team debut against Al-Hilal in Sami Al-Jaber's testimonial match when he came on as a substitute for Anderson. Last season Welbeck made 13 appearances for Man United, scoring three goals. Welbeck is only 18 years old.

Darron Gibson- Since joining Man United in 2005, Gibson has go out on loan to Royal Antwerp and Wolverhampton Wanderers. Gibson was a regular for Man United's reserves during the 2005-6 season, and he did make a few appearances for the first team during the 2006-7 pre-season. Gibson made his Premier League debut on the 15th November 2008. Since then he has played in the Champion's League, FA Cup and Carling Cup. Gibson is 21 years old and last season he made 15 appearances for United, scoring three goals.

Fabio Da Silva- Fabio is 19 years old and he joined Man United in February 2007 along with his identical twin brother Rafael. Both players were unable to play for United until they turned 18 in July 2008. Fabio made his first appearance for United on the 4th August 2008 when he came on in the second half replacing Patrice Evra. Since joining Man United Fabio has picked up a shoulder injury and after recovering from that he picked up a calf injury which has kept him out of quite a few games. When Fabio has played he has shone so hopefully he can have an injury free season and show everyone what he has got. Last season Fabio made two first team appearances.

Federico Macheda- During the end of last season Macheda burst onto the first team scene after winning Man United two important matches. Macheda scored in his Man United's Under 18's debut and also his first team debut. Macheda joined Man United in 2007, he is 17 years old and Man United have high hopes for him.
Macheda made his first team debut for Man United on the 30th March 2009 in a Premier League match against Aston Villa. Man United were 2-1 down with not long to go, Sir Alex Ferguson brought on Macheda for Nani with 60 minutes gone. Cristiano Ronaldo equalised in the 80th minute and Macheda won the match for United in stoppage time. This immediately put Macheda in the spotlight.
For United's next two games Macheda was named on the bench, the first was a Champion's League match, the second was a Premier League match against Sunderland. It was against Sunderland that Macheda made his second appearance, he came on for Dimitar Berbatov. Macheda had only been on for 46 seconds and he scored Man United's winning goal, it was a lucky goal but who cares. Last season Macheda made four appearances for United, scoring two goals. I think that Macheda could have a fantastic season for United.


Jonny Evans- Evans was another youngster who had an amazing season for United last season. He is only 21 years old but he plays like he is older than that. Evans made his Manchester United debut on 26th September 2007 against Coventry City. Last season he filled in for Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic if they were suspended or injured. He immediately looked comfortable and he really did impress. He made 37 appearances for United last season and it will be difficult for him this season. Ferdinand and Vidic are a strong partnership but he is making it very difficult for them and they know that if their form drops he will be straight in there.

Luis Nani- When Nani joined Man United in the summer of 2007 he was being called the next Cristiano Ronaldo. Unfortunately he has been far from that but now that Ronaldo has gone I believe he can step up and show everyone that he does have quality and talent.
Nani made his debut for United during the 2007 pre-season against Shenzhen Shangqingyin, Nani scored and Man United won 6-0. Nani also scored in the following game against Guangzhou Pharmaceutical. Nani has made some great performances for United, most notably against Arsenal in the FA Cup on the 16th February 2008 but he has also had some really poor performances. Last season Nani made 31 appearances for United, scoring six goals. I expect much more from Nani this season and I think he has no choice but to perform, if he doesn't I think he could well be sold.

Rafael Da Silva- Rafael is 19 years old and he joined Man United in February 2007 along with his identical twin brother Fabio. Both brothers were unable to play for United until they turned 18 in July 2008. Rafael made his first appearance in a friendly match against Peterborough United on the 4th August 2008. Rafael has put in many impressive performances for United especially in the FA Cup and Carling Cup.
Like his brother, Rafael is highly rated and many believe that he can become one Man United's first team regulars.
Last season Rafael made 28 appearances for United, scoring one goal, which was against Arsenal.

Ritchie de Laet- The 20-year-old joined Man United from Stoke on the 8th January 2009, since joining Man United he has been playing for the reserve team. De Laet made his first appearance for the Manchester United first team on the final Premier League game of the season against Hull City on the 24th May 2009.
Last night Ritchie played for Man United against Valencia in United's one and only pre-season game at Old Trafford. He shined last night and he was my Man United's Man Of The Match. If he plays like he did last night he will be playing a few games for United over the course of next season.

Zoran Tosic- Tosic is 22-years-old and he joined Man United on the 2nd January 2009. He made his first team appearance, 22 days later on the 24th January against Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup fourth round. Three days later he was playing in the Premier League when he came on in the 77th minute for Berbatov. Tosic has been a regular for Man United's reserve team and he has been very impressive.
Tosic scored his first senior goal for the club on the 26th July 2009 in an 8–2 victory over Hangzhou Greentown during Man United's pre-season campaign in Asia.
Last season Tosic made three appearances for Man United's first team but I am sure he will make more in the upcoming season.

There are other youngsters who can break through into the first team but I think the players above a more likely to shine this season when they are played. Who are your players to look out for?

A month ago the press were reporting that Sir Alex Ferguson had put Darren Gibson up for sale. The news today is that Darron Gibson has agreed a new three-year extension with Man United.

The new deal will now keep Gibson at Old Trafford until 2012. When I first heard that Gibson was put on the transfer list, I was surprised because he had impressed me last season. He looked like he could be a fantastic player and I thought that Fergie thought a lot of him.

"I am very happy to commit my future to United," Gibson told ManUtd.com "Last season I enjoyed every opportunity and when I got my chance I wanted to prove what I could do. I hope to continue that this season."

"Darron was one of the young players who emerged last season as a United first-team player," Fergie told ManUtd.com "His appearance ratio did not really reflect the high regard in which we hold him, as he has constantly worked hard to challenge for a first team spot."

I am glad that the rumours aren't true and Gibson is staying. Are you?

There were reports earlier on this month that Darron Gibson has been put on the transfer list by Fergie, but Gibson is keen to sign a new contract. Gibson is only 21 years old and has plenty to offer at Old Trafford. He did start to break through last season and I am sure he will become a first team regular.


"My contract is coming to an end so, hopefully, at the end of the month I'll be signing a new one," Gibson said.

"My current deal ends at the end of next season but, normally, a player would enter into new contract talks at the end of this month.

"I've been told that a few clubs had expressed an interest in signing me, but I want to give it a good push and have a proper go at it next season before I decide to go anywhere else."

Three of Manchester United's younger squad members have been put on the transfer list, one of which surprised me. Frazier Campbell, Danny Simpson and Darron Gibson will all be leaving Man United in the summer.