Ferguson stands by keeper policy
Sir Alex Ferguson is happy to let Anders Lindegaard and David de Gea alternate as his goalkeeper to allow both to further their Manchester United experience.
De Gea started the campaign. But after a couple of shaky displays, he was replaced by Lindegaard. Yet the Spaniard could easily be called upon again on Wednesday night as United open their latest Champions League quest against Galatasaray.
Ferguson said: "The most important thing I'm trying to achieve is experience of the English game."
He added: "They are both young and don't have the experience of an Edwin van der Sar or Peter Schmeichel so alternating is not a problem for me. That's the policy I have been adopting and I'm comfortable with it."
Ferguson does know his side must improve at the back though. Rarely have United been able to field a regular defence during a three-season period of group stage matches on home soil that has yielded a paltry total of three wins.
Already this term, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones have been ruled out for extended periods, forcing Michael Carrick into service as an emergency central defender.
Even allowing for Rio Ferdinand missing the odd game, such measures should not be required again now that Jonny Evans has recovered from an ankle injury.
"At the moment with Smalling and Jones long term, I'm left with three centre-backs, Vidic, Ferdinand and Evans," said the United boss.
"If I was guaranteed two of those being fit for the rest of the season I'd take that gladly right now.
"It's not been the case in the last two or three years, when we have had a really rough ride. I've had to alternate centre-backs. Go back two years ago and we had Carrick, (Darren) Fletcher and (Patrice) Evra there. That's a key issue. I can't hide that. I just hope I get a bit of luck in that respect."
