Jamie Ireland
England under 21s looked to have secured top spot in their European Championship qualifying group, after their 3-1 victory over Wales. But two young reds caught the eye.
Although it was Norwich’s Nathan Redmond who grabbed the headlines, scoring all three of England’s goals, United duo Jesse Lingard and Michael Keane received plenty of praise.
Keane was a rock at the back alongside newly promoted Leicester City centre-back Liam Moore. The partnerships performance was described as “physical and dominant” on the official Manchester United website.
Lingard on the other hand is an attacking midfielder, who Under 21 coach Gareth Southgate played in the number 10 role, in which he flourished.
But the question is whether either of these two talented youngsters have a chance of breaking into Louis van Gaal’s plans for the coming season?
Keane and Lingard have both matured while on loan at Championship clubs Brighton & Hove Albion and Blackburn Rovers respectively.
However, with so much pressure on van Gaal to get it right in his first season in charge, in my opinion he should spend big on another centre-back instead of promoting Keane.
As for Lingard, it is possibly an easier task for him to break into United’s midfield, especially if there are various departures. Fresh, exciting young talent from within maybe just what is needed.
The fact that van Gaal is the first foreign manager at Old Trafford and has so much pressure on his shoulders, he will have a tendency to look to big names to bolster the squad.
But I have a feeling his new assistant manager will get across the importance of giving youth a chance.
