Sir Alex Ferguson is a backer of the Premier League's Elite Player Performance Plan.

Ferguson supported the scheme in a letter contained in the Premier League's 64-page review of the 2012-13 season.

Manchester United lifted last season's Under-21 Premier League with eight players born within 21 miles of Old Trafford: two from Manchester, and one each from Bury, Rochdale, Oldham, Stockport, Macclesfield and Warrington. Not quite the Lisbon Lions but still impressive.

"This is the type of commitment to progressing home-grown players that the Elite Player Performance Plan will deliver.

"There are talented boys throughout this country and given the right training, environment and opportunity there is no reason why the whole English game can't benefit from the hard work and investment of the clubs."