Manchester United Dugout

Manchester United could make a shock move for former Arsenal captain Sol Campbell to strengthen their depleted defense. Campbell is currently without a club and reports in UK suggest that he may revive his career by playing for the current Premier League champions.

United are currently missing six defenders through injury that include Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Gary Neville, Wes Brown, John O’Shea and Jonny Evans. Fergie has been playing with a makeshift defense with Carrick and Fletcher assuming unusual roles in the back four. Their last game against Wolfsburg saw midfielders Carrick and Fletcher playing in the centre of defence which surely shows how severe the defense crisis is for United!

Will the arrival of Sol Campbell strengthen Manchester United defense? 

I don't think so. While some may argue that he could be a short-term solution, and can be used as a cover for crisis situations but I think Fergie should give a chance to some of his youngsters. The 35-year-old Englishman has played for Arsenal, Spurs and Portsmouth, before he walked out of a five year contract with League Two side Notts County.

Sol Campbell has held talks with Championship side Newcastle United about a January move but that looks very difficult owing to his £40,000-a-week wage demands. There aren't many sides who could sign up an aging football player but Fergie might take a gamble to bring Campbell to Old Trafford. After all, his decision to sign Michael Owen is paying dividends after he scored a hat trick against Wolfsburg in the Champions League.

What are the chances of Sol Campbell arriving at Old Trafford? Have your say folks by commenting below.

Manchester United skipper Gary Neville has appreciated the young Red Devils and believes they are competent enough to start in the Premier League. The veteran voiced his views after United knocked out Spurs from the Carling Cup at Old Trafford.

Sir Alex Ferguson had fielded a less experienced side to what he normally does in the tournament, signaling a possible new era of Fergies Fledglings. The surprising Champions League defeat to Besiktas last week saw some pundits criticizing Fergie's fledglings for their lethargic performance. But Fergie kept faith in his youngsters and they paid it back when Darren Gibson scored twice to ensure progression for United.

Gary Neville paid tribute to his team’s youngsters after watching a resilient performance in the Carling Cup tie at Old Trafford. The veteran believes that this current crop has what it takes to make a mark in the Premier League. He said, "I don't think they're younger players, they're playing for their countries. They deserve to be there by right. They are Premier League players of that quality, they are obviously developing."

It will be interesting to see whether the current group of Fergies Fledglings is able to emulate the success of their seniors. The current crop of players include Darren Gibson, Danny Welbeck, Gabriel Obertan and Ritchie de Laet. Their seniors and probably the best ever Fergies Fledglings included Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, David Beckham, Nicky Butt and the Neville brothers.