BIG GUNS BATTLING IT OUT You’re better than us... no KIDDING!

SOLSKJAER ADMITS BLUES YOUNGSTERS ARE FURTHER AHEAD THAN UNITED’S

OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER admits Chelsea are in front of Manchester United in the regeneration game.

Both clubs are pinning their return to glory on the crop of youngsters coming through their academies, many of whom are likely to be on show tonight in the Carabao Cup.

However, Solskjaer claims Chelsea’s wider use of the loan system has given Frank Lampard’s kids vital experience, while his are having to come in cold.

“Frank has players that have been on loan for one or two seasons in the Championship,” said the United manager.

“The difference between my youngsters is they are just now stepping on to the scene. Chelsea’s young players benefit from having been out on loan now. They are a mature young team.”

But Solskjaer believes the baptism of fire he has had to give to some of his youngsters this season will serve them well in the future.

“Character will be revealed in tough times, and I think the young kids have done excellently,” he said.

“I can’t give them any more responsibility and I couldn’t be any more happy with many of them.

“We know it’s been tough, and we know we’ve asked a lot of them because Paul Pogba, Luke Shaw, Anthony Martial, loads of other players have been injured, and for us the youngsters have stepped up in a difficult period. But in the end they will be stronger for it.”

English teenagers James Garner (above, left) and Brandon Williams (above, right) are among those likely to feature at Stamford Bridge.

Solskjaer is convinced Fred, who divides opinion among Reds fans, could be the man to fill Pogba’s shoes until he returns in December – albeit with a little help from a friend and fellow Brazilian.

“Fred will probably take Paul’s position for a while now and that’s been brilliant for us,” Solskjaer said. “But Andreas Pereira has grown in the last few games. His energy and running, chasing, he is a different sort of 10.

“I think his energy and drive – both Brazilians to be fair – are going to be important for us.”