Fergie backs youngsters to shine

The world champions are still on target for an amazing quintuple and, having already accounted for Spurs in the FA Cup this season, will fancy their chances of beating Harry Redknapp's men at Wembley.

But, unlike in 2003 and 2006 when Ferguson started the Carling Cup with his youngsters but then selected a more experienced squad as the final came closer, this time the United chief is expected to stick with the men who have handled the responsibility so far.

"Our youngsters have vindicated themselves," said Ferguson.

"I stuck with them because I knew they were capable and it makes sense to use the scope of our squad given the number of games we have coming up."

The United boss has already guaranteed Republic of Ireland midfielder Darron Gibson his place in the starting XI, while Rafael, Rodrigo Possebon and Danny Welbeck - who have also been involved in every game in some capacity - will certainly be in Ferguson's squad.

Nani, John O'Shea, Carlos Tevez and, if fit, Anderson, fall into the same category, while Jonny Evans only missed the opening victory over Middlesbrough because he had just faced Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

It means nine of the 17 slots available to Ferguson are accounted for, with Ben Foster tipped to edge out Tomasz Kuszczak in goal, leaving the likes of Gary Neville, Nemanja Vidic, Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney to hope their limited involvement has been enough to warrant selection.

Ferguson claimed Gibson's performance in the FA Cup win at Derby was the deciding factor in his inclusion.

At 21, the Derry-born midfielder knows he must start building on an impressive spell on loan at Wolves last season if he is to make the grade at Old Trafford.

Yet he can hardly have expected to be involved in a major domestic showpiece quite so soon.

"I am buzzing," he said. "I can't wait to go to Wembley. It will be my first big final so I am really looking forward to it."

On the night United booked their seventh final appearance - that has so far yielded just two victories - Gibson acknowledged midfield rivals of the calibre of Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick were on the bench.

But rather than be in awe of such talent, Gibson felt invigorated by the sight.

"It was unbelievable," he added. "It gave me a great feeling. It is good that the manager is keeping faith with me."

Ferguson identified Gibson for stardom almost three years ago during a pre-season tour of South Africa.

At the time, he claimed both Gibson and Evans would play for Northern Ireland 'by the end of the season'.

Unbeknown to the United boss, Gibson was at the centre of a political storm, having elected to claim Irish nationality under the terms of the Good Friday agreement and pursue an international career with the Republic.

Protests from Northern Irish football chiefs have now been overruled and Gibson was on the bench at Croke Park earlier this month when Giovanni Trapattoni's men scraped through their World Cup qualifier with Georgia.

It will be the first time Ferguson has walked out alongside old friend Harry Redknapp at a Wembley final, although the pair crossed swords at this season's Community Shield when the Spurs manager was still at Portsmouth.

The Red Devils will hope for the same outcome too as the prospect of a unique five-timer edges closer to a reality.

"We are going for the lot," said O'Shea. "It is something you hope for at the start of the season and there is confidence they are all up for grabs, as there should be when you are still in each competition.

"We are in this final, we are still in the FA Cup, going well in the league and the Champions League is there as well.

"It is the kind of thing you only dream about really.

"You just try to take one game at a time but it is going well for us so far. When you have the players and belief we have, we have to be confident."