Alex Ferguson offers David de Gea backing as Manchester United's long-term first-choice goalkeeper

"De Gea is the long-term prospect, there is no question about that, Anders has done very well. He has provided tremendous opposition to David. But the potential of David is obvious," Ferguson said.

After signing for 18 million pounds in the summer from Atletico Madrid, De Gea's start to his career at Old Trafford was unconvincing after mistakes in the Community Shield against Manchester City and United's Premier League match at West Brom directly led to goals conceded.

The Spaniard appeared to settle after his early blunders, but an error from a corner which handed Blackburn Rovers a shock win at Old Trafford on New Year's Eve prompted the return of Anders Lindegaard, who played in the 3-0 defeat at Newcastle United and kept his place for United's FA Cup third-round win over Manchester City.

"We have been leaving him [De Gea] out of games quite regularly, there has been a nice mix of opportunities for Anders Lindegaard, playing in Europe and some of the league games," Ferguson said.

"Just because he [De Gea] has lost two bad goals against Blackburn doesn't mean that all of a sudden we are neglecting that part of both of them playing."

Ferguson also confirmed midfield duo Tom Cleverley and Ashley Young are still on the treatment table and expects the two to be ruled out of January's fixtures.

"The plan for Cleverley is to start running two weeks on Monday and join us the following week. He is maybe a month away," said Ferguson.

"Ashley is four weeks away easily. The bleeding never came out after the Fulham game and is only starting to come out now. That has been unfortunate. We don't think it is a serious injury but we can't prejudge it until we have all the facts."