Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has been recalling the protests back in 1994 when he fielded a young line-up in the Carling Cup against Port Vale.

Ferguson's side won 2-1 at Port Vale in a second round tie in 1994 but a local MP complained in the House of Commons and even threatened to take action against United under the Trades Description Act.

"I smile when I think back to the days when I perhaps startled many people by ringing the changes," said Ferguson. "In particular I remember the fuss my selection for the League Cup tie at Port Vale provoked.

"We had Roy Keane at centre half and Brian McClair in midfield, but that was really the extent of our experienced players. Vale supporters, disappointed at the prospect of not being able to see some of our star names at their ground, took their complaints to the Press and even to the House of Commons.

"John Rudge, who was manager of Port Vale at the time, told me that even his wife was one of the people who complained! What they didn't know of course was that they would be witnessing the launch of the David Beckham era, and we know how successful they went on to become."