FORGET Manchester United for the Premiership title.

For Alex Ferguson is making one of his biggest mistakes of his managerial career.

The decision to rest major stars might not have cost his side any points in the short term.

But it can only create longer-term unrest in the Old Trafford camp.

Put yourself in the boots of Raimond van der Gouw, Peter Schmeichel's understudy.

First Schmeichel is rewarded for an appalling spell of form with a holiday in Barbados.

(I have it on good authority that the hotel waiters were bawled out whenever Schmeichel spilt his own drink. He was even seen rollicking the sun after suffering sunburn.)

Evidently, the poor lamb is suffering from World Cup burn-out.

Ignore the gap between the end of the tournament and the start of Schmeichel's pre-Premiership training.

Disregard the fact that keepers are not subjected to the same intense physical demands as outfield players.

Rubbish the suggestions that Schmeichel would have performed better in the first half of this season if he had slobbed out on a sun-lounger in the Stretford End goalmouth.

Then Ferguson decides that Precious Peter may need further physical and mental assessment on his return.

So van der Gouw might just squeeze in another appearance at Leicester on Saturday - in a no win outcome - before Schmeichel rides in on a white charger.

(And then charges off at the end of the season for a big fat pay-off.)

Van der Gouw would have good reason to wonder whether Ferguson is playing a psychological trump card or merely pampering an already-inflated ego. How will Nicky Butt, a true 100 per center in all circumstances, react when he has to retire to the bench when David Beckham is deemed refreshed enough to slope around the field again?

This is not squad rotation, it is blatant mollycoddling and favouritism. And the first effects of Ferguson's policy have started to appear.

Roy Keane, in my opinion the finest all-round player in the Premiership and the type of inspirational figure that could well make Ireland a future force in world football, is in clear need of a spot of cossetting.

What better way than to start negotiations for a new contract through the press.

The bidding reportedly starts at £40,000 a week (holidays negotiable if FIFA decide to make the World Cup a fortnightly event), a figure which would smash the United wage structure.

It is another issue which could again easily set the cat among the pigeons.

Ferguson has, of course, previously made a mockery of the harbingers of doom and gloom.

Previous success has been built on a simple philosophy of team ethics: "It not about individuals, it has to be a team effort. It's the only way. If you are going to do okay in the Premiership, you have to have that."

Oh! Silly me! Those were the words of Brian Kidd and he left Old Trafford a few weeks ago.

Neil Bramwell is the Sports Editor

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