Soccer: Coach finds consolation in youngsters’ prospects

CARDIFF - Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson believes his young guns can restore the club's fortunes next season after their unlucky penalty shootout defeat by Arsenal.

United marauded forward for most of the goal-less 90 minutes and extra time, with 19-year-old Wayne Rooney and 20-year-olds Cristiano Ronaldo and Darren Fletcher all outstanding.

"You could toss a coin who was man of the match out of Rooney and Ronaldo, there's a great future for those boys," Ferguson told Sky Sports, reflecting on a season that ended without any silverware.

"We can talk of what might have been for as long as you like, what we want to do is do something about it next season.

"We've always been galvanised by disappointment and adversity because there's a good character in the team. I was proud of them today, they didn't deserve what happened to them."

Ferguson's only complaint was his side's lack of accuracy in front of goal.

"We are disappointed, we've missed chances all season, our goalscoring has let us down and we've only got ourselves to blame in a way."

- REUTERS