Youth Deserve Praise In Defeat

Although Louis van Gaal was expectedly downbeat following Manchester United’s UEFA Champions League exit, the manager took time out to praise the club’s youngsters who flourished during Tuesday’s dramatic 3-2 defeat at Wolfsburg.

Guillermo Varela made his first start after debuting as a substitute against West Ham United at the weekend and the Uruguayan right-back was excellent throughout the match in Germany, performing his defensive duties with great concentration and attacking at every opportunity.

Cameron Borthwick-Jackson also caught the eye at the Volkswagen Arena after the Academy graduate stepped off the bench to replace the injured Matteo Darmian before half-time, a change that displayed the manager’s faith in the 18-year-old with Ashley Young also on the bench.

Nick Powell – who recently returned from a lengthy injury lay-off – registered his first senior appearance for United since playing against MK Dons in August 2014, with the 21-year-old replacing Juan Mata on 69 minutes as the Reds gallantly chased qualification from Group B.

Speaking after the final whistle in Wolfsburg, van Gaal paused to praise his youngsters and their efforts. "We have to speak about the players who have played tonight and I have to give a compliment to the youngsters. I think they played very well. That’s the other side of this story.

"Now because Manchester United has lost nobody wants to say that, but I have to say that Varela played a very good match and also when Cameron came on he played very well, so you can also say that it is very good that the youngsters have shown quality on this podium."

United will now be entered into the Europa League and that means the Reds must get used to playing regularly on Thursday nights and Sunday afternoons. Asked if that scheduling could have any effect on the Barclays Premier League campaign, the manager was reluctant to answer at this time.

"I haven’t thought about this kind of thing yet because now we are out of the Champions League and we have to analyse this game, and how it happened, and also that we are not lucky in the Champions League," van Gaal admitted.

"The decisions in the first match in PSV Eindhoven were not in our favour and also tonight, first the referee said it was a goal and after the complaints of the players it is otherwise.

"So it’s strange, but of course we have to accept that and continue. Maybe the Europa League is not very positive for the Premier League but we have to cope with that."