Lets face it, he hardly has anything to lose by doing so. He is almost 90% guaranteed to be **** canned in the summer, and the hunt for 4th spot is all but over. And in this case, he was forced to play that team cos of injuries. You think Rashford would have gotten a sniff of first team action if Rooney had been fit?
Sure. But he could have prepared AGAINST that eventuality by buying some expensive cover in January. He thought he would risk the youngsters if the first teamers were injured. Ok, he may not have wished to play Rashford a few weeks ago but he has form in giving youngsters their chance, e.g with Ajax and others United have that tradition. I am not saying we are seeing the 2016 equivalent of the class of 92 but it is encouraging. Chelsea don't have any of this especially Mourinho. That is why I am not so keen on him.
The situation with our youth players is a joke unlike anything else I have ever seen in football. Our youths dominated the Youth FA Cup for years, and were performing awesome feats out on loan to other clubs, yet were still never even given a glance of first team action. Loftus-Cheek looks promising, but we should have persisted with Bertrand instead of flogging him to the Saints and Josh Mceachran who was awesome in the Champions League, never played in the league then was flogged to ****ing Brentford! Safe to say he never realised his potential, and Gael Kakuta. Also I fear for Lewis Baker, Nathan Ake, Patrick Bamford and Bernard Traore.
It's interesting you say this. I've got a 3.5 hour drive to work on a Monday morning so usually have Talk Sport on and the general perception of them all is that while we have no chance of getting fourth as we are a mammoth four points behind City, City are still very much likely to win the league even though they are nine points behind Leicester. Yes they have a game in hand which could narrow one gap and widen the other but it is still very much within our hands to get 4th. Not saying we will by any means but it is far from over. I think bringing in our youth players was forced on van Gaal but I do think he is more likely to stick with them now they are in. That's the difference for me, he won't just bin them all once the 'first team' is fully fit.
Well I guess the rationale is that City are far more capable of going on a 5/6 game winning streak than United. If they win their game in hand, thats a 6 point gap, and whilst I see your point, I cannot see United earning 7 more points than City in the remaining 11 games. Anythings possible though I guess. I mean Leicester are top ffs
Doesn't have to be City though, we are also chasing Arsenal who are more than capable of chucking away what lead they have.
I don't think we'll get close to catching City or Arsenal. We'd have to beat City at the Etihad which aint happening and Arsenal are just too far ahead plus Wenger always gets them over the line in the Top 4 Cup!
I would agree with that to be honest. If any of the current top 4 are likely to slip away, it will be Arsenal. But still don't see United pulling it off to be honest.
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This argument that by design, he had setup the opportunity for him to try young players is supported by a comment from LvG himself: Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal on giving debuts to six players in five matches: “That was also the reason why they hired me. I prefer fit players, but I also prefer small squads then you can give youngsters a chance, when you have a wide squad, you cannot do that. It’s very risky but I have done it at every club.”
Well Darmian has been fit for a few weeks now and Varela has remained in the side. Tbh, he would likly have replaced Lingard with Rashford in the side. Hes not afraid to play the kids, forced or not. Something like 10 debutants in 10 games... Other clubs, and yours is one of them, aak for emergency loans in this situation. Anyway, ive been enjoying the freedom the kids play with. Cant expect every game to be like the Arsenal game but Watford showes they have grit too. Something often lacking in youngsters.