Is this United's defence by 2015?

Top: David De Gea. From Right: Rafael Da Silva, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Fabio Da Silva

Excluding Rafael Da Silva, the backline, as good as it is, is getting on a bit now. The now-retired Edwin Van Der Sar was 40, Patrice Evra is 30, Nemanja Vidic is 29 and Rio Ferdinand is 32. That was an average age of 33 years old.




Everyone is aware (or should be!) of Edwin's retirement, and we have seen him replaced by 20 year old David De Gea, for the best part of £20m. We have also signed young Phil Jones from Blackburn, for a fee that could, reportedly, reach £20m. Some people may say that's a risk, but in my book, and after seeing him play, it could well prove another Fergie masterstroke, especially in todays market. Another Fergie masterstroke was pulled of last summer, with £7m capture of Chris Smalling from Fulham. Then you have the Da Silva twins, who in my opinion, have massive potential. Also, we have young Jonny Evans, who yes has faded over the last season, but he has the ability to be a very useful player under Sir Alex and his eventual successor. Here I will evaluate the impact I think these young players could make, and when I think they could make the breakthrough.

David De Gea signs for Manchester United, 2011.

Firstly, David De Gea. Our latest recruit who is surely going to go straight into the first team. At the age of just 20, David could be with us until 2031, if he was to replicate a career as long and successful as the man he is replacing: Edwin Van Der Sar. When you think of someone who is 20, you think of inexperience. However, David has been around for the last two years, as first choice between the sticks for Atletico Madrid, playing in a league that rivals ours in being the best league in the world. He has also appeared in a Europa League Final, where they beat Fulham 2-1, as well as winning the European U21 Championship with Spain last month as first choice goalkeeper. His praises have been sung by Real Madrid and Spain legend Ilker Casillas, who says that David will soon be challenging him for the number one spot in Spains senior team. That would be a tremendous feat, considering the other goalkeepers Spain have at their possession. David has the potential to be a top quality goalkeeper, but we must be patient with him. As he has pointed out himself, he is a young man coming into a foreign country playing for arguably the biggest club in the world. People may think that being a goalkeeper is easy, but it is not. In England, goalkeepers need to be able to come out and control crosses, something we have seen Tottenham's goal keeper Heurelho Gomes struggle with, with him being replaced by Brad Friedel this summer. To conclude, I think David will play the majority of United's games next season, apart from in the Carling Cup, when Anders Lindegaard and Ben Amos will be competing with each other for the chance to start in goal.
Potential: 9/10
Squad Status: First Choice

Rafael has impressed in all four of his seasons with us.

Secondly, Rafael Da Silva. Founded by the 'God' Jim Lawlor. Rafael Da Silva is currently my favourite Manchester United player; he is also lucky enough to have his name on the back of my new United top. Rafael, and his twin brother Fabio, are currently preparing for their fourth season with us. Sir Alex see's Rafael as the now-retired Gary Neville's long term successor and you'll be lucky to find a better young right back out there - maybe his brother rivals him for that! Over the past season and a half, Rafael has began to make the right back spot his own, making 28 appearances last season - a number that would have surely been a lot more had he avoided injury. The potential sales of the long serving duo of Wes Brown and John O'Shea - with a move to Sunderland mooted - will give Rafael immense hope that he is now first choice. There are, however, two obvious aspects of his game that he needs to develop: decision making and temperament. Rafael has been sent off twice in big matches. One of those occasions being a Champions League Quarter Final 2nd leg at home to Bayern Munich. That sending off played a major part in us going out of the Champions League, with us having the spend most of the second half with 10 men and Nani playing up front. On a separate note, the dissapointment of that defeat was lifted the next day by the announcement of the signing of unheard of striker Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez. His other sending off came at White Hart Lane last season, forcing us to endure the last 10 minutes with 10 men in a match that ended 0-0. I am fully confident, that if he overcomes these weaknesses, then he will establish himself as one of the best right backs in the world - for club and country. And who knows, with Maicon and Dani Alves in their early thirties and late twenties, respectively, it might not be long until we see Rafael bombing down the right flank wearing the famous yellow strip of Brazil.
Potential: 10/10
Squad Status: First Choice

Just a few seasons ago, Chris was playing non-league football for Maidstone United. Thank God he had a haircut.

Thirdly, Chris Smalling. Another Fergie masterstroke, like all players in this blog, potentially. Chris is an inspiration to all young non-league players, playing for Maidstone United only 3 years ago. Making his debut against Chelsea, like Phil Jones, he put in a great performance, despite scoring an own goal which put Chelsea back on level terms in a match they eventually won 2-1. In January 2010, it was announced that Sir Alex Ferguson had beaten Arsene Wenger to the £7m signing of Chris Smalling. It was announced that he would spend the rest of the season on loan at Fulham, something that would prove to be very beneficial. Like all other United fans, I closely monitored his performances in an impressive campaign under Roy Hodgson where Fulham managed to reach the Europa League Final, only to lose out to David De Gea's Atletico Madrid. When he joined up with the squad on the pre season tour of America last season, many people saw the signing of him and Chicharito as a 'gamble' and a 'risk'. Instead, both players proved to be one of the buys of the season and Chris made giant strides in his development and proving why he is seen by Sir Alex as Rio Ferdinand's long term replacement. At 6ft4 he has the height to strike fear into any striker pitting their wits against him, whilst also offering a valuable goal threat through heading from set pieces, much like Nemanja Vidic. This has also seen him come off the bench and play as a striker on one or two occasions, most notably in the 2-2 draw away to Aston Villa last season. With the consistent injuries of Rio Ferdinand, you can't help but wonder that Chris might be first choice centre back within the next two years. Chris filled in magnificently last season whilst covering for Rio, in which he made a start in a Champions League Semi Final, amongst other big games. Chris is an extremely talented defender, and would be first choice at most other Premier League teams, but at Manchester United he has the challenge of overcoming arguably the best central defensive partnership in world football, in Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic.
Potential: 10/10
Squad Status: Backup/Rotation

Phil Jones, our new addition from Blackburn Rovers.

Next, Phil Jones. Our first signing of the 2011 summer transfer window, for a fee in the region of £16m-£20m. Phil's preferred position, but, as proved last season, he can also play as a defensive midfielder when called upon, something which may be needed in the permanent absence of Owen Hargreaves after his contract ran out this summer with no reassurance that Sir Alex is going to dip into the transfer market to replace him. Phil has only been around for two seasons, making his debut at home to Chelsea, providing more than a match for Dider Drogba that day. Since then, Phil hasn't looked back, earning a starting berth alongside fellow red Chris Smalling, in Stuart Pearce's England U21 side this summer at the European U21 Championship. Phil has already had his praises sung by United legend Gary Neville, amongst others, who says that Phil has the potential to be United and England captain one day. I can't help but agree with him, having seen the leadership qualities Phil has demonstrated over the past two years. But, despite being one of the best young defenders around, Phil has a big challenge ahead of him before the eventual departures of current United centre backs: Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand. The latter has had significant injury problems over the past few years, meaning it may be sooner rather than later when he is eventually replaced by one of Phil or Chris. Next season, however, I still believe that, if available, Rio and Nemanja will be Sir Alex's first choice partnership, though Jones and Smalling could fill in adequately whenever one of these two get injured. I expect, and would also like to see, the Jones-Smalling partnership tried out in all Carling Cup and FA Cup games. Sir Alex should have no worries throwing either two of these into the first team, as, despite their age, they could fit into most Premier League defences.
Potential: 10/10
Squad Status: Backup/ Rotation

Fabio's career at United has, so far, been blighted by persistent niggling injuries.

Lastly, Fabio Da Silva. Capable of playing either left back or right back, or even left wing as he played against Arsenal last season in the FA Cup - a game in which he scored. Fabio's time at United has been largely disturbed through injury, though when called upon, he has clearly shown him immense potential. Before the twins arrived at Old Trafford, Fabio was known as the better one, with that being the general consensus amongst many fans now. I think that Fabio has the potential to be long term replacement for Patrice Evra, though the only question is: Would Sir Alex or his successor be willing to play a right footer at left back? But in the meantime, with John O'Shea looking likely to leave this summer, maybe Fabio could become our next utility player, with him being able to play right back, left back, right wing and left wing. Also, with Wes Brown looking likely to leave, then Fabio may get more chances next season, when Evra is injured or rested. With Sir Alex looking likely to avoid dipping into the transfer market to replace the outgoing duo - with his main focus being on midfield - it shows the faith he has in the twins, and also Jonny Evans. But, like Chris and Phil, I see most of Fabio's appearances coming in cup games and against weaker opposition, but who knows, weren't we all saying that about Javier Hernandez when he was signed, the day after the Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich. We all know what happened with him. Here's to Fabio further increasing his reputation and development in the 2011/2012 campaign and replicating the success of his brother, Rafael.
Potential: 9/10
Squad Status: Backup/Rotation

Jonny in his most impressive campaign at United.

However, we should not forget about Jonny Evans, should Sir Alex decide to keep hold of him this summer. Prior to last season, Evans had always performed reliably when given the opportunity and when I saw his name on the team-sheet, it made me lose no confidence in the ability of our defence. But last season, as a result of low confidence and a lack of oppurtunites due to increased competition, Jonny looked out of place, and with only one stand out performance of the season coming against Liverpool in the third round of the FA Cup. If Sir Alex does decide to hang onto him this summer, then that may provide him with the confidence boost he needs to be able to go out and prove to the Old Trafford faithful he is deserving of his place in Sir Alex Ferguson's squad.

Daniel Pond

Twitter: @danielpond1995