<div><p>Sir Alex Ferguson enters a new year and new decade as manager of Manchester United confident the future of the club is in safe hands.</p><p>A new generation of young stars have been given their opportunities in the first half of the current campaign and Ferguson has promised he will retain his policy of using a relatively inexperienced side for the first leg of United's eagerly-anticipated League Cup semi-final with Manchester City next week.</p><p>Ferguson is confident the current crop of emerging talent is on a par with any in his 23 years in charge at Old Trafford, an impressive claim given the quality of young players associated with his club.</p><p>"I think the young players are doing well here," Ferguson insisted.</p><p>"Their progress has been good and they are getting their opportunities," said Ferguson, citing Wednesday's 5-0 thrashing of Wigan - a result that left the champions just two points behind English Premier League leaders Chelsea - as evidence.</p><p>"Danny Welbeck came on in our game against Wigan, Rafael was outstanding in that game and showed fantastic energy and desire to do well.</p><p>"(Federico) Macheda is unfortunately injured but we all know the qualities he has and (Gabriel) Obertan has joined the club and has fantastic potential, he is only 20 years of age.</p><p>"In the main, if they stay clear of injuries, they will be top players.</p><p>"It has always been that way here. We have always tried to bring on young players and I think we're good at it," added Ferguson ahead of United's FA Cup third round tie at home to fallen giants Leeds.</p><p>The recent performances of young right-back Rafael have been particularly eye-catching and with his twin brother Fabio, Ferguson predicts a day in the near future when United have two Brazilians in the full-back positions.</p><p>"That's a definite possibility, yes," said Ferguson. "We've always thought highly of Rafael, and his brother.</p><p>"Fabio is just coming back from injury and he will come in for the games now. I think the two of them are equally good, you couldn't separate the two of them. You couldn't separate the two of them in terms of their looks - it's impossible to tell the difference unless they're wearing numbers!</p><p>"But they are Brazilians and I don't think you need to give Brazilians any targets. They're always shooting for the moon."</p><p>As for Ferguson himself, the United manager - who turned 68 on the final day of 2009 - shows no signs of losing his own vitality or enthusiasm for one of the most high-profile jobs in sport.</p><p>And, in keeping with his policy since he announced his 'retirement' in 2002 only to change his mind, he is making no predictions about how long he will remain in charge.</p><p>"I hope my health is okay, that's for sure," said Ferguson when asked if he saw himself still at the helm in five or six years.</p><p>"Whether I'm managing (then), who can be sure? You never can be sure."</p><img src="http://admatch-syndication.mochila.com/images/ad.gif?aid=66197259&bid=informcom" /></div><div id="copyright"><div>

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