Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has said that he will not select players on the basis of their reputation and insists that each individual will have to fight for a place in his team.

The Red Devils’ boss was forced to bring in young defenders Tyler Blackett and Paddy McNair into the senior squad due to an injury crisis at Old Trafford since the start of the season.

But with the recent return of the injured first team players, the former Netherlands manager is spoilt for choice while picking up his starting eleven for their Premier League game against West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns tonight.

And the Dutchman has made it clear that no player will be a guaranteed a spot in the team and will have to prove their worth on the training ground before being selected in the opening line up.

“When you mention [Wayne] Rooney, [Michael] Carrick and [Phil] Jones, of course they are great football players but we have more great football players and sometimes the other football players are doing better”, the former Bayern Munich manager was quoted as saying by Manchester United’s official website.

“Nobody is walking back into my team, believe me.

“You have to earn it on the training ground, but every player knows that. Believe me, it is not only [about] the name. Our youngest player McNair was outstanding in our last match”, Van Gaal added.

After a disappointing start to the new season, where they won just one out of their first five games, United have been unbeaten in their last two fixtures and will be hoping to continue their winning momentum against Alan Irvine’s side.

Currently sixth in the league table, a win over the Baggies would move them up to the fourth spot, eight points behind leaders Chelsea, whom they face on Sunday.

 

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