Football FanCast columnist Stephen Darwin looks at the plethora of young talent coming through the ranks of Old Trafford and wonders if United's new generation are capable of making a similar impact, as the fabled class of 92.

Talk of blooding youngsters seems to be the flavour of the month in football at the moment - and even Theo Walcott is struggling to get a headline these days. All this hype has inevitably built up within the media although there is no escaping from the reality that there has been a sudden and somewhat unexplainable urge for certain managers to give the green light to some of their undergraduates - the question is, why now?

Football FanCast columnist Stephen Darwin looks at the latest chapter in the Gareth Barry transfer saga and wonders if Aston Villa would be wise to cash in.

A new chapter in the Gareth Barry transfer novel that dominated the back pages over the summer appears to have come to light today. The latest twist indicates that Aston Villa would be prepared to allow the England international to leave on a free-transfer in the summer of 2010 in an attempt to retain his services for one more season at least. Given the undoubted potential suitors for Barry's signature, would the Midlands club not be better served in attracting a potentially large transfer fee in January rather than losing out on a bumper pay day in the future? Indeed could O'Neill use his powers of persuasion to convince Barry that his long-term future would be best served at Villa Park - or is this slice of optimism simply out of the equation?

Football FanCast columnist Stephen Darwin looks at Liverpool's defeat in the Carling Cup last night and wonders whether the Anfield faithful were hoping for more from the competition this season.

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez blamed defensive lapses for his sides defeat in the Carling Cup last night. Although despite failing to cement a place in the quarter-finals of a competition that has been so good to the club in the past, are Liverpool fans really concerned at defeat or has the Carling Cup simply served its purpose as a method of squad rotation?

Football FanCast columnist Stephen Darwin looks at the potential of Arsene Wenger nurturing future England internationals and considers whether the hype surrounding Arsenal's young Gunners is all a tad premature.

I find it difficult to comprehend just how the work of a manager who has seemingly been something of an adversary over the years with regards to the development of young English players could now be a direct saviour. It doesn't take a lecturer in quantum physics to work out that I am talking about Arsene Wenger and his group of refreshingly talented and predominantly English reserves. But in the grand scheme of things can Arsenal's youngsters really expect a fruitful future at the Emirates Stadium and indeed with the England national team, or are we all getting a little carried away at a Carling Cup run that may just end in tatters come the quarter-finals?

Football FanCast columnist Stephen Darwin looks at the situation regarding Carlos Tevez' future with Manchester United and ponders what may be the next step for the Argentine international striker.

Manchester United are blessed with an embarrassment of riches in the strikers department at Old Trafford at present. Carlos Tevez, one of the most exciting and talented attacking talents in the modern game, has been forced to play second fiddle to both Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov on a frustratingly regular basis thus far this season. With the tireless Argentine limited to sporadic appearances in the Carling Cup, will there be a time when he says enough is enough in a search for regular first-team football?