Manchester United Dugout

Reports in Belgium have confirmed that Manchester United have signed 18-year-old defender Marnick Vermijl from Standard Liege. Vermijl is a versatile defender who can play all across the backline but is predominantly a right back.

Marnick Vermijl  is expected to join the Red Devils during the start of the 2010/2011 season.  It is being said that the youngster will directly join Fergie’s first team squad. He is the second Belgian defender in United’s squad after Ritchie De Laet.

I have never heard of Marnick Vermijl  and I’m not sure whether United have really signed him. Its surprising to see Vermijl arrive from Standard Liege since I was expecting to see Steven Defour arrive at Old Trafford from the same club.

Vermijl has never played a first team game for the Belgian side and was tracked by the scouts of Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United.

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.