Opportunity Knocks For United Youngsters

One thing we have learned from Louis van Gaal's time at Manchester United so far is he appears to be a man of his word.

The Dutchman's open and honest approach meant, for example, there was no misdirecting the media when it came to announcing the latest injury news ahead of last season's matches. If he told us on Friday that a player would miss the game, then the team sheet on Saturday or Sunday would bear this out. So when he promises to give young players a chance to impress on Tour 2015, presented by Aon, it is reasonable to presume it will happen.

After all, plundering the youth ranks is nothing new to van Gaal, who has forged a reputation for causing surprises with the rookies he promotes to his first team. The coach handed plenty of opportunities to Tyler Blackett and Paddy McNair during his first season at the club, and endorsed new contracts for both defenders.

Jesse Lingard was rewarded for his fine work on last summer's US tour with a wing-back role against Swansea City in the opening Barclays Premier League game, only to suffer a serious knee injury during the first half. And it is perhaps forgotten that Mike Keane, another tour-squad member, came on as a substitute in the first away fixture at Sunderland.

The first match of last September, at home to QPR, is remembered for stellar new signings Daley Blind, Angel Di Maria, Marcos Rojo and Radamel Falcao making their Old Trafford debuts - but Andreas Pereira, then 18, was named on the bench.

There was enough trust placed in James Wilson for the striker to be given a starting spot at home to Liverpool in one of the biggest games on the calendar. That was in December; in January, the England Under-20 international scored an important goal away to QPR. He remained a squad regular and finished the season on the field during the goalless draw at Hull City.

But while it is fair to say opportunities will be presented to the next batch of youth-team graduates, the individuals will still have to grasp the nettle and impress at senior level - a task that is by no means easy.

"I’m not someone who thinks it’s okay to make a little step forward," admits academy coach Paul McGuinness. "I think they only get one chance to make it so they have got to make it happen.

"Nobody was keeping Norman Whiteside out of the team once he was in it – or Ryan Giggs. It’s the same now. One of the things you have to address is not just to break into the squad and train with them, you have to cement yourself in the team.

"The young players cannot be overawed by the first-teamers – instead, they must think, 'You're good but I am going to get past you.' That is how it has to be. It's not enough to go up and just do okay. You have got to do more, to really push yourself so you stay in the team."

The challenge faced by those already on the fringe will also come from any fresh faces deemed ripe for elevation following their own exploits at a lower level. Van Gaal is famously fair in his appraisal of pre-season training and will analyse each individual and judge him on his merits. For all of those returning to the Aon Training Complex in recent days, there is the hope of claiming a place on the tour, to press home their claims.

So who will be the fortunate ones packing their bags for next Monday's flight to the United States? Ask the senior players and they have their own views on the youngsters who have impressed most in training when making the step up. It would be wrong to name names at this stage but the answers will soon be revealed. Van Gaal will rotate the squad during the tour and the chances will come. It will be fascinating to see how the youngsters respond.

Credit: manutd.com