Carling Cup: Coventry Debacle Bodes Poorly for United's Youth

Being a young player trying to break into the first team at Old Trafford must be one of the hardest tasks in modern football.

Not only do you have established veterans ahead of you—you have to compete with foreign stars brought in to strengthen the club.

Luckily, you also have a manager in Alex Ferguson who's willing to give young players a chance—and who has an impressive record in developing youth.

But the fact remains: At Manchester United, there's no room for error. When you get your chance, you have to seize it with both hands.

For many United youngsters, that chance comes in the Carling Cup, regarded as the least important of the four annual tournaments.

Unfortunately, the Manchester youth blew their opportunity this year.

Ferguson had been raving about his young talents for some time, and maybe the pressure got to them. In any event, they posted an awful performance—losing 2-0 at home to Coventry is not acceptable.

Yes, the lineup was inexperienced—the average age of the starters against Coventry was about 21—and it does take time for a new team to get into rhythm.

But that doesn't make the performance any less disappointing—and it may not save some of the club's young bubble players.

Bardsley, Eagles, and Dong, for example, just didn’t look like United players. Eagles has had a few good matches, but so did Luke Chadwick...anyone remember him?

Time is running out for these lads. Without the Carling Cup, their chances of getting regular first-team opportunities will be few and far between.

To their credit, all three are decent players—they'd be stars here in Sweden, for example. It's just that they may be plying their trade for Everton before too long.

Pique, Evans, and Simpson are a different story. I believe in them— and they'll get their chances.

Anderson, for his part, has the makings of a star, and his hefty price tag will help him secure a spot in the first team.

After all, it's easier to leave out a homegrown kid from Salford than a 17-million-pound Brazilian.

All told, then, the Coventry debacle might end some United careers—but don't despair! There are some positive signs, if you know where to look, and we've still got that man Ferguson.