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08th Nov 2015

Louis van Gaal explains why we’re seeing more unheralded youngsters in Manchester United squads

Faith in youth

Darragh Murphy

Every week we seem to be seeing another unfamiliar name in Manchester United’s matchday squad.

On Saturday, Cameron Borthwick-Jackson was handed his United debut by Louis van Gaal in a 2-0 victory at home to West Brom.

Manchester United v West Bromwich Albion - Premier League

Borthwick-Jackson had taken over from 17-year-old Axel Tuanzebe who had been named on the United bench for their previous Premier League game, a 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace.

And Louis van Gaal has revealed that it’s been a conscious decision to include more youngsters in his squads and explained the rationale in his programme notes this weekend.


“Over the coming months, using the full squad will become important in our quest to be challenging on three fronts,” Van Gaal wrote.

“Axel Tuanzebe was included in the matchday squad for our trip to Crystal Palace, and this is important in the development of the youth players.

“Axel stayed on the bench but the experience of travelling with the team, training and being part of the team meetings is an important part of the learning curve that he and other young players will take as they progress.”

Doesn’t he understand that you win nothing with kids?