Sir Alex Ferguson intends to use Man Utd's time in South Africa as an opportunity to experiment, with left-back one area he is lacking in options.
United boss will use pre-season to mix youth with experience
Sir Alex Ferguson intends to use Manchester United's time in South Africa as an opportunity to experiment, with left-back one area he is lacking in options.
Patrice Evra's consistency means the Red Devils do not consider the left side of their back four to be a problem.
They have even allowed Fabio to join Premier League rivals Queens Park Rangers on a season-long loan, further depleting their defensive ranks.
It has, however, been suggested that the Red Devils will look to strengthen in that area this summer, with Evra now 31 years of age.
Future planning is something United put a lot of time and effort into, with it important for the club to ensure that their standards are not allowed to slip.
Pre-season is an ideal time to take a look at those on the fringes of the squad and identify whether they are ready for a regular role.
Ferguson will use United's upcoming fixtures to tinker with his side, allowing him to give important game time to new arrivals and promising youngsters.
Priority
He told the club's
official website: "The priority is to get the experienced players fit but young players will play in each game. It's likely that (Shinji) Kagawa will start with Chicharito (Javier Hernandez).
"Michael Carrick, Rio Ferdinand and Paul Scholes will play. So too Anders Lindegaard, (Jesse) Lingard and (Robbie) Brady at left-back. Antonio Valencia will play.
"Brady is an outside-left but we believe there's a possibility he will develop into a left-back.
"It's an area we're paying attention to as Patrice Evra has played an average of 45 games in the last few seasons. So it's important for Fabio to get experience at QPR because, touch wood, Evra is never injured.
"The opportunities weren't there for Fabio and he needed more opportunities. With him away at QPR, we're a bit short at left-back so that's why we're trying Brady there.
"We also have Tyler Blackett with us. He's a strong boy, tall and quick and he has time on his side. He is here for the experience."
