Ferguson lining up Vidic replacement?

The speculation surrounding the future of "want away" Nemanja Vidic continues unabated; if we are to believe reports, the Serbian will soon be playing for Real Madrid under Jose Mourinho. If the rumours prove to be true, United fans will be disappointed with the defender who they've grown to admire since he signed for the club back in 2006. However, Vidic's standing among the fans' went down when midway through last season reports claimed the Serbian refused to play when pulling out at the last minute - supposedly because of 'injury'. On at least one ocassion Ferguson was said to be 'baffled' by the late no-show.

The latest transfer speculation suggests Ferguson could be eyeing Bruno Alaves as a replacement. Porto's 28 year-old centre-back is also being linked with Zenit St Petersburg, with talk of a £12.5m move. Some United fans will no doubt be underwhelmed at the prospect of signing Alaves, but he is probably better than some of Ferguson's existing options.

Replacing Vidic is just one of many problems facing Ferguson; the United squad is ageing and the manager has little room to manouevre in the transfer market due to lack of funds. United have been labelled as Real Madrid's feeder club by rival fans' - and being honest it is hard to argue with that. United are becoming a selling club, one that has to sell before the manager can strengthen.

Ferguson has put great stock in the fact that his younger players will have benefited from the previous twelve months experience, but that assertion is open to question; Gabriele Obertan was given few opportunities to prove what he can do. Danny Welbeck was sent out on loan and now there's talk of a permanent move to Sunderland. Kiko Macheda and Fabio da Silva were both missing through injury for much of the last campaign. Darron Gibson has been given ample opportunities to prove what he is capable of, but the Northern Ireland international doesn't appear to fit into any obvious slot in the engine room; he lacks pace, doesn't tackle particularly well, his passing is so-so; on the positive side, he has a decent shot - but for sure he is no Paul Scholes.

Like Gibson, Anderson has been given ample time to prove his worth, but he too has fallen well below expectations, so much reports claim he could soon be sold.

When you factor-in the constant injuries to Owen Hargreaves - who has not gone on tour this summer due to a 'new injury' - and the speculation surrounding the future of Michael Carrick there are serious concerns about the United engine room.

Up front Berbatov has been very hit and miss, but worryingly for United fans, the team might have to rely on him for the first few weeks of the season if Rooney suffers from his dreadful World Cup campaign and a disappointing season end.

It's fair to say Rafael da Silva (should be in the team every week), Jonny Evans and Atonio Valencia all did extremely well last season. Nani showed great improvement once he stepped out of Ronaldo's shadow.

United have signed two unproven youngsters in Javier Hernandez and Chris Smalling from Fulham. Hernandez could take time to settle, but he looks as though he has the quality to succeed based on his performances at the World Cup for Mexico.

Comparing players is always a dangerous business, but the Mexican is a predator - a player who comes alive in the opposition's penalty area; he is a bit like former Sunderland striker Kevin Phillips - both in his stature and his style of play. Smalling has only been a professional for a couple of years and it will interesting to see how he copes with playing for a club like United.

Ferguson has no alternative but to be positive about his squad's prospects for the coming season, but as ever, results will be key and the manager's summer optimism will be tested once the battle commences and the talking stops.