You'll never win anything with kids

Fergie proves Hansen right 14 years on

By Jamie Presland

On Wednesday, Arsene Wenger’s much lauded young Gunners put in a tremendous display against Olympiakos in Greece, and two weeks ago Manchester United youths took Besiktas all the way at Old Trafford.  Yet both these teams fell to undeserved 1-0 defeats, the latter losing a 23-match, 4-year unbeaten European home record.  And Arsenal’s youngsters were also on the end of a 3-0 drubbing by Man City a week ago in the Carling Cup.  So why are young teams with so much potential not able to turn performances into results?

Alan Hansen’s famous quote of “you’ll never win anything with kids” before the 1995-6 season when Manchester United in fact won the double with kids, has more resonance now than in previous seasons, and eerily it is Manchester United again showing why.  The very same “kids” who steered the Red Devils to that League and FA Cup double are still turning out for the Champions 14 years on, and showing that experience and maturity is now the k

PFA Player of the Year Ryan Giggs, who by the tender age of 25 had already won “everything” (5 Premier Leagues, 3 FA Cups, a League Cup and a UEFA Champions League), is now the most decorated British player of all time, being involved in over 20 trophy wins, and 12 seperate PFA awards.  Likewise, Paul Scholes finally added the League Cup winner’s medal to his collection last year, and Gary Neville has been ever-present to the trophy-laden United, lifting five as captain himself.

So is maturity now the central building block of title-winning sides?  Chelsea, who currently hold a two-point lead at the summit of the Premier League, have an average age of 28, compared to the 22 Wenger sent out in Greece, and five integral first team players are 30 or over, including Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba. 

Yet perhaps a blend of youth and experience is needed.  23-year-old Wayne Rooney is United’s talisman, Fabregas captains Arsenal at just 22, and even Steven Gerrard, who has been rifling in goals at the Kop end for over 10 years, is under 30. 

The exuberance of youth and the wise old heads of experienced players have the potential to make a devastating mix, yet the guidance of the elders is a must for young teams, and it is something a team with true title aspirations cannot afford to go without.  And no Arsene, I’m not talking about Mikael Silvestre.