Youth haven't got a chance because of injuries, they got chances because he sold our fringe players and back up options, and replaced them with youth.

LVG kept such a small squad so as to give youngsters a chance. I don't necessarily agree with the methodology but he definitely is a manager who takes it upon himself to bring youth through

It's been said many times on here.
Without the injuries at least some wouldn't have got starts. But he said he deliberately kept the squad small so in the event of a lot of injuries he would play them. He also has a history of doing just that.
TFM was not playing well and deserved to be replaced, all players can expect that at some point.

However he did it, it's been the best thing about this season. I saw someone mention a "scattergun" approach before and I agree with that. When we were struggling for goals before Christmas and Rooney was out of form, Rashford was nowhere to be seen. The likes of James Weir have been on the bench and then just disappeared. Strangest of all was the decision to throw Nick Powell on near the end of the Wolfsburg match, since when he's disappeared as well.

But Lingard, Rashford, Fosu-Mensah, Borthwick-Jackson and Varela have all impressed this season and I hope they carry on developing next. I've probably forgotten someone there as well.

How do you think most youth players get a chance? Most of the time it is through injuries to the first teamers and squad players.

To the OP, do you remember why Pogba left?

Fergie played O'shea and Gibson in central midfield when we had injuries spilling out of our bum holes and all Pogba could do was stand and watch from the sidelines in disbelief.

Credit to LVG for playing youngsters instead of playing Valencia as a striker.

Our manager has done a lot wrong but it's because of him we have discovered these gems.

Taking TFM off seemed like good management to me. The lad's composure was suffering after the penalty incident and it was better for the team and the player to take the heat off him.

I think his use of youth was planned but not to the extent he has had to rely on them.

Think it was park and Rafael in central midfield but the point you make is right. LVG has made brave decisions with the youngsters. Like giving TMF is full debut as a CB v Watford's Igahlo and Deeney !

Kung Fu

But there was also a reason why Ferguson was reluctant to play Pogba because his attitude for the reserved that season was supposedly not good enough as Pogba was frustrated he wasn't getting into the first team. Unlike LVG, Fergusons primary goal was to win trophies and he felt that bringing in a youth (however good) wasn't right because of his attitude for the reserves. It's a very hard balance to get right and while losing Pogba was hard to accept I also understand Fergusons stance.

When we lost at home 2-3 to Blackburn and Pogba was on the bench, think that was the final straw for him.

1982 - Like Januzaj's attitude

The obvious point is that LVG said in the summer the size of the squad means youth will get chances.

Not only this, but he's kept playing the youngsters who are in form.

For me it's all about balance. While I'm sure we can all agree that LVG has a fondness to use youth which is always very nice to see ideally they should be used because they are ready and good enough. That's is something I don't fell has always been the case with LVG though and the clubs ability to reach its goals has been hindered by being so reliant on youth to provide the quality needed in squad roles.

For me while there will be a number of ways kids can be brought into the first team with Ferguson it was usually not through injury but through being good enough with the reserves/youth and being given a role on the bench or even starting because Ferguson felt they were good enough. Usually these kids would get chances and hopefully gradually earn more regular spots based on performances, it's a great balance that doesn't effect the first team too much with a lot more fluidity given and reward for playing well given.

LVGs way (for us anyway) seems to give more opportunity which can allow a player like Rashford to get a chance when there are multiple injuries but for me it also has too much of an effect on the squads ability to reach its goals.

It's a very hard balance to achieve and while i personally don't feel LVGs has been in away perfect it does have its pros but it also has many cons.

Cryuff

True, both incidents are frustrating because both are very talented players but I can also understand a manager choosing not to play someone because their attitude isn't right.

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By making rash ford simply a squad player next season will be the end of him tbh as without a doubt his confidence would take a knock due to trying to over impress people in the short cameo apps off the bench.
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What a silly statement to make. It ignores the countless examples of young players who don't play every week who go on to be top players.

Barca we win

No, like I said it's a balance and if the talent is there then I feel the way ferguson did things would still brig players through while also still keeping the team competitive.

Our object as a football team isn't to bring through youth, it's to compete for titles and ideally play football. Even your beloved Barca have failed to bring through that much compared to previous years and that isn't because they don't want to, it's primarily down to the fact the talent to choose from isn't as good. Maybe they could have given more chances to youth but then they would have potentially have had to sacrifice buying players like Neymar and Suarez, the players you jiz your pants over every week.

It's a balance.

I think his use of youth was planned but not to the extent he has had to rely on them.

True, he chose to rely on players like Rooney and Bastian and it is largely his fault for foolishly doing so.

comment by manutd1982 (U6633)
posted 32 minutes ago
Kung Fu

But there was also a reason why Ferguson was reluctant to play Pogba because his attitude for the reserved that season was supposedly not good enough as Pogba was frustrated he wasn't getting into the first team. Unlike LVG, Fergusons primary goal was to win trophies and he felt that bringing in a youth (however good) wasn't right because of his attitude for the reserves. It's a very hard balance to get right and while losing Pogba was hard to accept I also understand Fergusons stance.
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The key word is supposedly mate.

Fergie risked using youngsters less and less as he got older and we let some good players go.

You can still win trophies an play youngsters, Fergie proved that him self when he was a far braver manager.

Pique, Pogba and Rossi being the stand out ones, even Drinkwater....

LVG has played youngsters and that's a positive.

That isn't really the key word. I don't watch the youth so can't say for definate but that was the general view of pretty much every one who did. He had a brilliant season the season before and I actually went to see one of the games and he was excellent. But if the view that he wasn't putting in the effort (and why would anyone lie about that) then I totally understand Ferguson's choice to not play him. With hindsight it's easy to say we made a mistake but I also don't like to see kids being given chances when their attitude isn't right.

Also I've said many times there are positive of LVG playing youth, but I can also see the negatives in terms of relying on them to be good enough to reach the squads aims. Yes some have been but not all and that is an issue that comes from relying heavily on youth. Like I said, it's about getting the balance right.

Hmmm.. if he actually said that then points to him. With a season or half a season under their belts is it weird to now switch sides and say LVG in? Might look so but that would suggest the senior players were the ones applying the philosophy wrongly by passing slow, not running into space, being reluctant to shoot and generally losing easy balls.. I cant accept that. LVG kept faith with them even when they clearly messed up game after game. I think he should still go but if JM comes then he should be what, starved of money so as not to relegate the youth esp in FB and striker positions? This is getting harder as May fast approaches