Ferguson reaps the rewards of loyalty

Sir Alex Ferguson hopes tonight to reap another dividend from all those years of tender care and attention he devoted to the Manchester United youth system. A decade ago, when his position at the club was still far from secure, he made time to ensure a series of spotty teenagers felt at home at Old Trafford.

The result is a rare loyalty which does not just manifest itself in the likes of Ryan Giggs and David Beckham spurning overtures from Italy and Spain. The supporting cast, too, feel a kinship with Ferguson and his club strong enough to compensate for the constant disappointment of being left off the teamsheet when the big games come along.

Nicky Butt is the prime example. The 16 England caps he has won, and a series of approaches from clubs such as Sunderland, are testament to his talent but despite being a United irregular he has turned them all down to remain at his hometown club. Butt's philosophy is that United have so many big games, he is bound to play in some and can cite the 1999 European Cup final, when Roy Keane was suspended, as evidence. Yesterday he received further proof of his value when Ferguson singled him out as a key player in this evening's European Champions' Cup semi-final first-leg against Bayer Leverkusen. "He's instrumental in our success at the moment," Ferguson said. "His form has given me hope that we can replace Roy Keane successfully."

The Scot added: "Some players have an asset in their attitude to life. Nicky, over the last few years, particularly since Roy joined the club, has never been a certain starter in every match. A lot of people would have thrown the towel in years ago. But he knows when he does play that he makes a valid contribution to the team and our success over the years. He feels his contribution is worth him staying.

"In the last year he's matured. He's 26 years of age, almost 27, and that maturity has brought on what you're seeing at the moment. His performances over the last few weeks have been fantastic. When we had a blip earlier in the season and we stabilised the side, it was Nicky Butt who was an influential player in doing so."

With Keane still sidelined with a hamstring injury Butt will anchor the midfield, probably alongside Juan Sebastian Veron who returns after treatment on his Achilles. With Quinton Fortune the latest player on the injury list Ferguson must decide whether to withdraw Giggs into midfield, or retain him in the attacking role which wreaked such havoc against Deportivo La Coruña. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is likely to fill in on the left if he does, or alongside van Nistelrooy if he does not.

The match provides the chance for another local youth product, Wes Brown, to strengthen his claim for inclusion in England's World Cup squad. Ferguson, who said he believed Brown would already be sure of a place had it not been for injury, expects both defences to have plenty to do.

"Leverkusen attack in sixes and sevens at a time and they take chances," he said. "They show no fear. It's great if you get people to believe that and that's the hardest thing about playing that way. But they can lose goals because of it."

It is Leverkusen's first appearance in the semi-finals, compared to United's eighth, but Klaus Toppmöller, their manager, insisted his team would not be overawed. He said: "Our players want to to show they can be measured against the great players."

One of them who may attract the attention of any Chelsea fan tuning in is the Brazilian Ze Roberto, a target for Claudio Ranieri.

Leverkusen should not be underestimated but Toppmöller admits their priority is the Bundesliga, which they have never won. They should have done, but twice cracked at the last in recent seasons. They remain two points clear this season but Saturday's defeat to Werder Bremen, their first in the league since February, may already be doing terrible things to their minds.

By contrast United are in scintillating form, having produced what Ferguson now believes was "probably our best ever" performance against Deportivo.

He added: "It was phenomenal and since then there has been a very good feel about the place. The atmosphere in the dressing-room has been good. I can smell these things. I know when it's right and it's very right at the moment.

"I can't see any semblance of a flaw the way we have been playing. That's a very positive thing for us. It gives you optimism that you are going into the game in the right frame of mind." Just so long as confidence does not become complacency.

Manchester United (4-4-2): Barthez; G Neville, Brown, *Blanc, Silvestre; Scholes, Veron, *Butt, Giggs; Solskjaer, *van Nistelrooy.

Bayer Leverkusen (4-4-2): Butt; Ramelow, *Lucic, *Nowotny, *Placante; Schneider, *Ballack, Basturk, Ze Roberto; Kirsten, *Neuville.

Referee: L Michel (Slovakia)

*Suspended from second leg if booked.