Louis van Gaal: Why my youth policy is best for Manchester United

Guillermo Varela (right) has come into the squad as United are hit by injuries

LOUIS VAN GAAL insists there is no problem throwing youth players into the Manchester United first team.

Van Gaal has given games to a number of United's academy products this season to patch up a squad hit by injuries.
Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, 18, earned his debut last month, while fellow defender Guillermo Varela, 22, has been thrown into the first team this December.
There is growing concern United are becoming too dependent on their youth ranks and that Van Gaal should sign recruits in the January transfer window - especially in defence.

Chris Smalling, Matteo Darmian, Luke Shaw and Phil Jones have all been absent from the squad for varying points this autumn.
But Van Gaal insists he has adequate cover at the back.
"I think smaller selections (of players) are always better, because you can give chances to youth players," he said.

"We have seen that this year, and you have seen that they always play good in their first match.
"Borthwick-Jackson in his first match was very good, and also Varela, who played a very good match against Wolfsburg.
"I have to say that, in my option, it’s the right way."
United face Norwich tomorrow (3pm) hoping to keep apace with Leicester, Arsenal and Manchester City in the title race.
Captain Wayne Rooney is expected to be fit to feature at Old Trafford, while Smalling and midfielder Ander Herrera have completed a full week's worth of training.