Ferguson 'depressed' by rioting youths but insists United kids are all right

Sir Alex Ferguson has lamented the state of our nation's youth after riots across the country blighted a week in which Manchester United's young players came of age.

The manner in which Tom Cleverley helped to transform Sunday's Community Shield against rivals Manchester City at Wembley alongside Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and Danny Welbeck could save United as much as £35million after Ferguson confirmed he will not be investing in Wesley Sneijder or any other new signings before the end of the transfer window.

Game changer: Smalling scores United's first against City 

But it was the price being paid for the ugly side of youth that was troubling the Old Trafford boss on Friday as United prepared to open the season on Sunday in West Bromwich, one of the areas hit by rioting and civil unrest.

'It's been an absolutely depressing week when you see the things happening in our country,' said Ferguson.

Young guns: Cleveley (top) and Jones (bottom) could save United a fortune

'The really disturbing thing when you think what the hell is going on is, is that here you have an Olympic athlete, an assistant school teacher and a millionaire's daughter involved.

'What are their parents thinking at this very moment in time? Have they no pride in their upbringing? And their grandparents? Deary me.

'They really want to wake up and appreciate the society they're in and what their parents have done for them. It's depressing.'

Youth movement: Ferguson happy with his own youngsters

The future could not look much brighter at Old Trafford, however, after Ferguson's youngsters inspired United to overturn a two-goal deficit against City.

The performance of Cleverley, in particular, justified the manager's decision to abandon his bid to sign Inter Milan midfielder Sneijder, as revealed in Sportsmail on Friday.

'When you are 2-0 down in the big games you don't expect what you saw,' admitted Ferguson.

'Welbeck has two or three times at Wembley for us, but what we wanted to find out was how Jones, Smalling and Cleverley equipped themselves – and they did fantastic.

'There has always been an emphasis on young players at this club. If they have the ability and the temperament, there's only one thing you can do and that's play them.

'When you take our roll call of players, I'm certainly not looking to add to that.'

Staying in Italy: Wesley Sneijder seems set to remain at Inter Milan

Asked if that meant United fans can forget about Sneijder, Ferguson added: 'You can forget anyone you like, I'm happy with the young players I've got.'

The United boss defended his new £17.8m goalkeeper David De Gea, who came under fire for the way he conceded both City's goals at Wembley.

Ferguson was particularly concerned that De Gea was criticised for failing to cut out the free-kick that led to Joleon Lescott's opener, and yet no questions were asked of City's England international Joe Hart when Chris Smalling scored a similar goal for United.

Unfair criticism: De Gea is beaten by Lescott (left)

'It was interesting there was no criticism of Joe Hart,' said Ferguson. 'It was exactly the same type of goal, and he's your bloody national goalkeeper.

'The goalkeeper has absolutely no chance when the ball gets whipped in like that. It only needs a fraction of a touch and the goalkeeper's dead.

'If he comes for it, he looks silly. He's just got to hope that the defenders deal with it and our defenders didn't deal with it.'

Ferguson confirmed that De Gea will start the season at the Hawthorns, even though the decision will disappoint Anders Lindegaard who feels that he has done enough to win over his manager and the rest of the Old Trafford dressing-room.

'I'm proud to have created a debate over the goalkeeper position but I want more than that, I want to play regularly,' said Lindegaard.

'It's been challenging. The hierarchy in the dressing-room is based on how often you play and how good you are.

'It's only over the last month or so that I have felt accepted, and where I feel I have found my place in the group.'