Football
Arindam Rej, Man United Correspondent 8y

Man United will attract new players as I give them a chance - Louis van Gaal

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has said that players are more likely to come to the club when he is in charge, because he gives them a first-team chance.

Van Gaal has handed out debuts to 28 players since he became United manager in May 2014, including 14 from the club's youth system.

Jose Mourinho, the bookmakers' favourite to become next United manager, has been questioned in the past by the media for his failure to promote new talent. There is also competition between United and local rivals Manchester City to attract local youngsters.

Timothy Fosu-Mensah, an 18-year-old Dutch defender, was the latest to benefit from Van Gaal's youth-promotion policy when he made his first start in the 1-0 win over Watford on Wednesday night.

And the United manager has said that his track record for injecting fresh blood is one of the reasons why he was appointed in the job.

"I had two maiden speeches with them, two conversations, first with Ed [Woodward] and later with the owners," Van Gaal told United's official website. "They have said what the culture is of Manchester United and why they want me. One of the reasons was that.

"I used a lot of players also on the tour in America and on the tour last year. You need also the luck that youngsters are performing at that level.

"It's not always the case and, when you see how many players I give the chance to show themselves, at the end, only two are three players are finishing as a player of Manchester United. But, when you have me as the manager, you have a lot of chances. Also, a lot of players, because of that, are coming next season to Manchester United because they see that [I give them a chance]."

The former Netherlands coach said that it is down to the players themselves to stay in the first-team. He pointed out that behaviour on and off the pitch are both important.

"You put yourself in my attention and then I shall give you always a chance. Then, you have to grab it. It's like that," Van Gaal added.

"It starts with the player but the player has to be open for a lot of things -- not only the tactical situation or technical situation but how he stands in human life, how he can put his career in that human life."

Before every fixture, United's training involves 11 senior players against 11 reserve and academy players in a practice match. It is designed to mirror the upcoming game that United's first-team players are facing.

Van Gaal explained: "Ryan Giggs is the trainer-coach of the simulated opponent. So we simulate the play of West Brom, for example.

"When youngsters are coming, they learn a lot because of that and they have to perform like West Brom, not like Marcus Rashford or who they are. Do you understand? And then I can see if they want to do it or not."

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