When United sold Danny Welbeck to Arsenal for sixteen million pounds, ex United assistant Mike Phelan claimed that we were losing our identity of promoting young talent. Instead we were splashing the cash on marquee signings such as Radamel Falcao and Angel Di Maria. Many United fans were disappointed to see Welbeck leave the club after climbing through the ranks at Old Trafford. But, after a long period where United have failed to make any world class signings it was perhaps what was needed. Only time will tell if this was a correct decision to let Welbz leave but big changes needed to be made quickly before we fell further behind the leading pack.
Whilst Welbeck was surplus to requirements at Old Trafford, van Gaal has always had a reputation of giving youth a chance. His philosophy is that youth will get their chance BUT they have to prove that they are good enough and take their chance. You will not play if you are not good enough. He was the one who promoted the likes of Xavi and Iniesta from Barcelona's academy and launched them into the first team and we all know how that story ended. I'm not saying that the expectancy is there to produce a player of that ability from our current crop of youngsters. Though it does show that van Gaal is aware of the talent that is at his disposal at all levels within the football club.
Whether through choice or neccessity, United's defensive frailties this season have certainly given Tyler Blackett the chance to impress and he has taken his opportunity and put in some very impressive displays. His passing, his tackling, his reading of the game has made him arguably our best central defender this season. A little bit of inexperience creeps in at times but, his sending off at Leicester aside, we have seen a player blossom under van Gaal and put in some very encouraging and confident displays.
This week our defensive woes continued as we were stretched to the very brink with all of our regular first team central defenders either injured or suspended. This once again led to a first team debut for another youth team product in Paddy McNair. Like Blackett, nineteen year old McNair impressed and looked a very competent stand-in.
Sam Allardyce's West Ham have looked uncharacteristically attack minded and have played some attractive passing football in recent weeks. When United went two nil up however it initially looked like it would be a comfortable win for us. Last week's collapse at Leicester was still fresh in the memory and a poor defensive lapse from a set-piece allowed West Ham back into the game. Despite McNair being the one man-marking Sakho for the West Ham goal, De Gea was undoubtedly at fault with his unconvincing attempt at claiming the ball from a floated corner allowing The Irons to capitalise. And when Wayne Rooney was dismissed with over half an hour still remaining the onus was put onto United's defence as West Ham pressed for an equaliser. Any error which McNair may have played in the conceded goal was certainly overlooked when he produced a magnificent backwards diving header from a Jenkinson cross that was on course to land at the feet of Carlton Cole for the easiest of tap-ins from three yards out.
McNair continued to play his part in a solid, albeit sometimes desperate, defensive display ensuring United came away with all three points as we were on the back foot for the final twenty minutes of the match.
With the injury prone current crop of central defenders we have at our disposal in Evans, Jones and Smalling, McNair certainly looks a reliable replacement. His composure at the back could prove to be a very valuable asset whilst we await the signing of expected reinforcements in January.
Robin van Persie and fellow defender Rafael were full of praise for the Northern Irishman with the latter stating that McNair has a "big future" ahead of him. The manager was also complimentary of his performance highlighting his "goal-saving header in the second half". Phil Neville called the debutant's display "outstanding" whilst Gary Lineker also heaped praise on the teenager. McNair deserves all the plaudits that have been coming his way and with hard work there is no reason he can't go on and be a success at Old Trafford.
Even when fit this season the experienced Jonny Evans has looked very nervous and has made costly mistakes and he will be looking over his shoulder with the emergence of his fellow countryman. Likewise Chris Smalling has yet to prove himself on the Old Trafford stage and he will have to work hard to win back his place after a week when he has been linked with a ten million pounds move to Arsenal.
It says a lot about McNair's performance that, in a defence which included a world cup finalist and a teenager with a world record price tag, I am writing about his display. McNair will undoubtedly be brimming with confidence and he will be hoping that his performance will be enough to keep him in van Gaal's future plans. One thing is for sure though: our reputation of promoting youth continues and just because we have sold one or two players who climbed the ranks at Old Trafford it doesn't mean our identity has disappeared. We have always had a blend of youth and world class talent. We paid a lot of money for Ferdinand, Rooney and Berbatov whilst continuing to promote youngsters. Some will argue there is no better time for a young United defender to prove his worth at the Theatre of Dreams. We will always give youth a chance and hopefully Paddy McNair can work hard and write his own part in United's illustrious history.
By Si Glen
FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER @sglen2001
Whilst Welbeck was surplus to requirements at Old Trafford, van Gaal has always had a reputation of giving youth a chance. His philosophy is that youth will get their chance BUT they have to prove that they are good enough and take their chance. You will not play if you are not good enough. He was the one who promoted the likes of Xavi and Iniesta from Barcelona's academy and launched them into the first team and we all know how that story ended. I'm not saying that the expectancy is there to produce a player of that ability from our current crop of youngsters. Though it does show that van Gaal is aware of the talent that is at his disposal at all levels within the football club.
Whether through choice or neccessity, United's defensive frailties this season have certainly given Tyler Blackett the chance to impress and he has taken his opportunity and put in some very impressive displays. His passing, his tackling, his reading of the game has made him arguably our best central defender this season. A little bit of inexperience creeps in at times but, his sending off at Leicester aside, we have seen a player blossom under van Gaal and put in some very encouraging and confident displays.
This week our defensive woes continued as we were stretched to the very brink with all of our regular first team central defenders either injured or suspended. This once again led to a first team debut for another youth team product in Paddy McNair. Like Blackett, nineteen year old McNair impressed and looked a very competent stand-in.
Sam Allardyce's West Ham have looked uncharacteristically attack minded and have played some attractive passing football in recent weeks. When United went two nil up however it initially looked like it would be a comfortable win for us. Last week's collapse at Leicester was still fresh in the memory and a poor defensive lapse from a set-piece allowed West Ham back into the game. Despite McNair being the one man-marking Sakho for the West Ham goal, De Gea was undoubtedly at fault with his unconvincing attempt at claiming the ball from a floated corner allowing The Irons to capitalise. And when Wayne Rooney was dismissed with over half an hour still remaining the onus was put onto United's defence as West Ham pressed for an equaliser. Any error which McNair may have played in the conceded goal was certainly overlooked when he produced a magnificent backwards diving header from a Jenkinson cross that was on course to land at the feet of Carlton Cole for the easiest of tap-ins from three yards out.
McNair continued to play his part in a solid, albeit sometimes desperate, defensive display ensuring United came away with all three points as we were on the back foot for the final twenty minutes of the match.
With the injury prone current crop of central defenders we have at our disposal in Evans, Jones and Smalling, McNair certainly looks a reliable replacement. His composure at the back could prove to be a very valuable asset whilst we await the signing of expected reinforcements in January.
Robin van Persie and fellow defender Rafael were full of praise for the Northern Irishman with the latter stating that McNair has a "big future" ahead of him. The manager was also complimentary of his performance highlighting his "goal-saving header in the second half". Phil Neville called the debutant's display "outstanding" whilst Gary Lineker also heaped praise on the teenager. McNair deserves all the plaudits that have been coming his way and with hard work there is no reason he can't go on and be a success at Old Trafford.
Even when fit this season the experienced Jonny Evans has looked very nervous and has made costly mistakes and he will be looking over his shoulder with the emergence of his fellow countryman. Likewise Chris Smalling has yet to prove himself on the Old Trafford stage and he will have to work hard to win back his place after a week when he has been linked with a ten million pounds move to Arsenal.
It says a lot about McNair's performance that, in a defence which included a world cup finalist and a teenager with a world record price tag, I am writing about his display. McNair will undoubtedly be brimming with confidence and he will be hoping that his performance will be enough to keep him in van Gaal's future plans. One thing is for sure though: our reputation of promoting youth continues and just because we have sold one or two players who climbed the ranks at Old Trafford it doesn't mean our identity has disappeared. We have always had a blend of youth and world class talent. We paid a lot of money for Ferdinand, Rooney and Berbatov whilst continuing to promote youngsters. Some will argue there is no better time for a young United defender to prove his worth at the Theatre of Dreams. We will always give youth a chance and hopefully Paddy McNair can work hard and write his own part in United's illustrious history.
By Si Glen
FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER @sglen2001