Manchester United´s Ferguson predicts bright future for Simpson

File photo shows Manchester United player Danny Simpson. Manchester United and Roma fans may get a glimpse into the future if Sir Alex Ferguson opts to give young right-back Simpson a start on Wednesday night.

      ROME (AFP) - Manchester United and Roma fans may get a glimpse into the future if Sir Alex Ferguson opts to give young right-back Danny Simpson a start on Wednesday night.

      Fergie is set to play an almost second string side, captained by Wayne Rooney, in the meaningless Champions League clash against Roma, with both clubs having already qualified for the second round and United having sewn up top spot.

      Simpson has made four appearances for United this season, starting the League Cup match at home to Coventry and the Champions League home match against Dynamo Kiev.

      He has earnt rave reviews and is in line for a start against Roma. Ferguson believes he has what it takes to make the grade at United.

      "He has without question all the qualities to be a Manchester United player. His progress over the last few months has been outstanding," the United boss said at a press conference in Rome.

      "We've only be able to judge him in training and a couple of appearances in the first team.

      "But he's quick, aggressive, has a fantastic attitude, he's a very good defender and he's improving his technique all the time."

      Ferguson said that a good attitude was the most vital quality a player needs to be able to break into the first team set-up.

      "For most of the young players brought into the first team it is a prerequisite to have a good temperament," he said.

      "That's something we judge through their development as young players so there was never any question as far as temperament was concerned (with Simpson)."

      The 20-year-old Simpson has had plenty of first team experience, but mostly out on loan.

      He has had two spells at United's Belgian feeder club Antwerp, spending the second half of the 2005-06 season and first half of last season there.

      He established himself as a first-team regular and after returning from Belgium went straight out on loan to Roy Keane's Sunderland and helped them win promotion to the Premier League.

      But establishing himself in the United first team is proving that much harder, even with Gary Neville having missed the entire season so far.

      In Neville's place Wes Brown has been doing a fine job but Neville is now homing in on a come-back.

      "We sent him back to a specialist and the assessment was very good," said Ferguson.

      "I think it's more like scar tissue his problem. We're working on that and bringing him back to training sessions next week.

      "We think he'll be ok."

      With Neville coming back into the side and Brown playing well, the path to first team football looks blocked for Simpson, but the same could have been said of Neville when he first broke into the team.

      Back then Paul Parker was the first choice right-back and, like Brown, back-up centre-back David May could play at right-back.

      But Neville still came through to establish himslef as first choice for United and England.

      Ferguson says patience is all that is needed.

      "It's a quality to be patient. I was reminded of that when I was reading (Sir) Bobby Charlton's book of his early days at United. He was in his 20s before he got into the first team.

      "At times they (young players) have doubts. They will have doubts because young lads are usually impatient.

      "They want to get on with their careers but in here they have to have confidence and trust in the way we operate.

      "We're not keeping them there (in the reserves) because we don't think they will make it.

      "We think they will make it, so when the time comes and they get their chance, they have to take it."