Van Gaal: Shaw Will Benefit From England U21 Action

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal insists playing for England's Under-21 side will boost the development of defender Luke Shaw.

Although United's 19-year-old left-back tasted senior action at last summer's World Cup, his manager believes stepping down is far from a bad thing, a stance that is at odds with other Premier League bosses like Arsenal's Arsene Wenger and Roberto Martinez of Everton.

Wenger and Martinez have expressed reluctance when asked if some of their senior-capped players should bolster the young national side ahead of next summer's UEFA Under-21 Championship.

Van Gaal, preparing for Monday's Sky Live match with West Brom, said: "It is a very good education. I have said that already, when I was national coach. All my players had played in the Under-21s.

"I think it is not any question, not any discussion. As the trainer of a club I should be very happy that he is playing Under-21s. I am happy he is playing because when he is on the bench - for example (Adnan) Januzaj was on the (Belgium) bench, he had two weeks' holiday - that is not a benefit.

"Then he can play better Under-21. I think youngsters have to play. I was very happy Shaw was playing in the 21s and he himself was also. He needs match rhythm. It was good for the national team Under-21s, it was good for me and it was good for Luke."

England Under-21s have suffered in previous tournaments having travelled without their strongest eligible squad.

Debate over the issue is not new but this season there does seem to be a concerted push to tempt players such as Shaw, Calum Chambers, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jack Wilshere, John Stones, Ross Barkley and Raheem Sterling to feature for Gareth Southgate's squad.

United defender Phil Jones is also still eligible for selection.

Van Gaal has made his position on the matter clear but he does accept each player needs to be considered on an individual basis.

He said: "You have to see always the individual player, not every player is the same. Some players are maybe too tired to play. But the managers and the medical departments of the clubs and the medical department of the federation have to communicate better."