Red View: Player of the Month video, Smalling's idols, Fryers interview and more

REDS BOSS READY TO ROTATE Sir Alex Ferguson insists he will utilise his Manchester United squad to the full as the busy festive period approaches. The champions face seven matches in December, starting with Saturday's trip to Aston Villa. With a crunch Champions League tie in Basel next Wednesday thrown into the mix, there's no great margin for error for the Reds. The FA Cup draw on Sunday will also add an early date for the calendar in the New Year, to follow the first league game of 2012 at high-flying Newcastle United.  "Squad rotation is inevitable," explained Sir Alex. "December is a particularly busy month when we often play a lot of games. We've got a Boxing Day game, a New Year's Eve game and it's going to be a hectic spell and that's when the squad really kicks in. "Actually, I think we've been using the squad very well lately. Nobody can complain about a lack of games. Everybody's been getting their share." "We've got two months to galvanise the club now," he stressed. "By New Year's Day, I want to be in a position where we're top, or within a point or two of the leaders." More: Boss says sorry | Pre-match podcast | ManUtd.com advent calendar   FRYERS ANSWERS THE FANS United's rookie defender Zeki Fryers fields questions posted on the Talking Reds (TR) message board and United's official Facebook page... Who's your best mate at the club? - AntonioRedDevil (TR alias) Probably Sam Johnstone, who's been on loan at Scunthorpe recently. We used to live in digs together and go to the same school. We've always got on really well... and he can cook a bit! We've seen you at both left-back and centre-back. Where do you hope to end up in the future? - Jason Freeman Ideally I'd like to play at left-back but I'll play wherever the manager wants. I'm not going to say 'no' to him! Who was or is your footballing hero? - Stef Ramsden He plays in a different position to me, but I'd have to say Thierry Henry. I used to love him because he had everything as a forward. He was obviously brilliant in front of goal and had bags of skill but he was also big and strong and was always entertaining. What do you like to do away from football? - xMattCx (TR alias) I tend to just go home and play on my X-Box a lot. I'm a massive Call of Duty fan. If you're not into it then you're missing out. I don't know anybody who doesn't have it - it's amazing. More: Norwood's loan lessons | Scholes: United's kids are alright SMALLING'S FOOTBALL IDOLS United defender Chris Smalling picks the five footballers who inspired him most as a youngster... Ryan Giggs: "I've watched Giggsy go on his mazy runs throughout his career and to see him do it first-hand now has made me really stand up and think 'Wow!'. He's achieved so much in his career and is still hungry for more. It's incredible." Rio Ferdinand: "I've always watched a lot of Rio for both United and England. He is definitely someone any young centre-back should look up to if they want to become a top player. He's one of England's greatest ever defenders and all the opportunities I get to train and play with Rio will only help me." Ian Wright: "He came from a similar background to me in terms of how he worked his way up [from the lower leagues]. As a youngster, I sometimes played up front or in midfield and he was someone I used to look up to. And even when I moved to centre-back I still always enjoyed watching him." Alessandro Nesta: "He might be 35 now but he's still showing what a top player he is. He's always had great ability, but he's also extremely composed whenever he's on the ball." Tony Adams: "He had such a great attitude and determination and gave everything for the cause. He's one of those players that strikers never really enjoyed playing against because he was such a battler. I think Vida [Nemanja Vidic] has a similar reputation. Both he and Adams have both been massive leaders for their clubs and their countries." More - Meulensteen philosophy is paying off | Evans: We must move on   This email was sent by:Manchester United Sir Matt Busby Way Old Trafford, Manchester, M16 0RA, United Kingdom. This email is designed to be viewed in HTML email clients - if you cannot see the images above, please open an HTML-compatible email account and then register the new address with ManUtd.com. If this email has been forwarded to you by a friend, please register with ManUtd.com to receive the MU Foundation newsletter directly in future. The articles and images in this newsletter do not necessarily represent the views of Manchester United FC. If you do not wish to receive this email please send a blank email from your subscription address to unsubscribe@manutd.co.uk. We are committed to respecting your privacy. Please see our Privacy Policy. Please DO NOT reply to this email.