Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has put Alex Buttner on notice.

Ferguson expects the Dutch fullback to be pushing for a regular start next season.

He said: "I would expect us to have a real good challenge next year.

"Rafael has proved how much he has developed this season, while David De Gea's progress in goal has been superb.

"He'll be better next year. Shinji Kagawa will be a far better player next year too, then there's Alex Buttner and Phil Jones, who can do anything he wants to do.

"We've got to deal with one or two players getting older - but we're not so bad in terms of protecting most positions."