THE DONS.

Envious eyes from north and south of the border are being cast on some of Wimbledon's remarkable array of young talent after Manchester United's failure in Europe at the hands of Monaco and Glasgow Rangers' faltering campaign to secure a 10th consecutive Scottish Premiership title.

The two Dons under the closest scrutiny are central defender Chris Perry and goalkeeper Neil Sullivan, who may feel under added pressure as Wimbledon prepare for the clash against United at Old Trafford tomorrow (Saturday).

In any case it will be the most tense of struggles. Dismissed from Europe by Monaco last week, United are also all of a sudden struggling to retain their English league crown.

At the other end of the spectrum, Wimbledon would seem to need a minimum of three wins from their remaining games to guarantee another season in the top flight. To some extent the Old Trafford game might be seen as a "crocks day out".

Both sides have been crippled by arm-long injury lists in recent weeks. Both could turn out unlikely looking outfits tomorrow.

United look to be lining up short of the Neville brothers while skipper Peter Schmeichel is little better than an even-money chance. Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Gary Pallister are also doubtful.

United manager Alex Ferguson described his current predicament as "patching things up which is not a good situation to be in".

Dons boss Joe Kinnear, however, is a past master of the instant repair job. Barely a week has gone by this season without him having to piece together some sort of a side against the background of an over-booked treatment room. And, unlike his good friend Ferguson, his budget is barely big enough to pay for the bandages, never mind buy in new faces and fresh pairs of legs.

Further north in Glasgow, Gazza's fitness remains uncertain and Rangers' disastrous season was marked with an exit from Europe a lot earlier than United.

It is against this sort of scenario that Perry and Sullivan have to live, knowing the new pressures under which major sides like United and Rangers now have to operate.

Both talented young men could, I fancy, be featuring in the big time next season. Rangers have, I understand, already sized up Sullivan as a more than adequate replacement for the injured, out-of-form veteran goalkeeper Andy Goram - and so has Scotland manager Craig Brown.

Sutton-born Sullivan may owe more to his grannie for his Scotland credentials than any proper tartan roots, but he may well have to get used to life a few stops further up the railway line than Watford. The next chapter of his career could well be spent a lot nearer the Clyde than Cheam.

As for Chris Perry, United boss Ferguson has never made any secret of his admiration for a player who he believes to be one of the best defenders in the business.

Ferguson must be as amazed as anyone else that England boss Glenn Hoddle keeps refusing to include either in his squads.

Were Perry to take the train to Manchester you could bet that proverbial bottom dollar that he would also walk into the England squad.

Perhaps because he never really played for one, Hoddle does not seem to like players from smaller clubs, which is a shame.

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