Ferguson sacks youth coaches in United shake-up

Sir Alex Ferguson has dismissed two of the Manchester United youth coaches, Dave Williams and Neil Bailey. The former Norwich City stalwart Williams was responsible for United's under-19 Academy side while Bailey was in charge of the under-17s.

Ferguson has complained publicly about results at that level, with United humbled in the FA Youth Cup by Barnsley. However, more significantly, few players have made the first team lately. Wes Brown was the last to emerge from the United ranks and there is no repeat in sight of the vintage crop that included David Beckham, the Neville brothers and Paul Scholes.

United have slipped well behind the leading youth set-ups. Arsenal have invested heavily and can now see a handful coming into first-team contention. Aston Villa, the current FA Youth Cup holders, also have an excellent array of young players.

The United manager will take this opportunity to reshuffle his coaching staff with Brian McClair, who took the reserves to the title in his first season, named as manager of the under-19 side, a move deemed a promotion by Ferguson.

United, who have already appointed Portuguese Carlos Queiroz as Ferguson's assistant, are looking to bring in a Brazilian coach to work with the younger players.

It is part of a revolution that Ferguson is planning to oversee personally. Ironically, at a time when he was expected to retire, he now wants a new-look staff to push United on at every level.

Two home-grown Reds, Kirk Hilton and Paul Tierney, may get their chance to figure in one of the senior sides this weekend.

Full-back Hilton, from Flixton, has spent a season at the United "finishing school" at Royal Antwerp in Belgium. Ferguson thinks he is ready after a cruciate ligament operation. The Republic of Ireland under-21 player Tierney is another due to get his chance after being quietly impressive for the reserves.

* Rio Ferdinand will make his first appearance for Manchester United against Bournemouth on Saturday. The match is a testimonial for the former Bournemouth manager Mel Machin.