'United can win things with kids'.

SIR ALEX FERGUSON believes Manchester United's current crop of youngsters are destined for big things.

Ever since the famed "Class of 92" broke through, United have repeatedly been asked whether it could happen again.

Ferguson has always resisted the temptation to make such comparisons, mainly because it would be virtually impossible for a group of players to enjoy the type of success Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, the Neville brothers, David Beckham and Nicky Butt all enjoyed from the mid-1990s onwards.

United have brought through a few first-team stars since, namely Wes Brown, John O'Shea and Darren Fletcher. But they have come through individually rather than as a collective.

Now though, Ferguson has a group of young players he feels are destined for big things, which is possibly the reason why he has resisted the temptation to spend large amounts of cash.

"The area I am most encouraged by is the young players," said Ferguson.

"Numbers-wise we have quite a load of them.

"Federico Macheda and Danny Welbeck are developing very well. We also have the Da Silva brothers (Rafael and Fabio) and we think Darron Gibson is going to be a top player because he has come on fantastically well.

"Then you have Nani and Anderson who are only 22 and 21. When you look at it, I am quite happy with what I have got."

And Ferguson is sure they will learn from the examples of veteran trio Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville.

"They are also examples of what can be achieved," said the United boss.