Lakshay Khurana
Call it bad luck or fatigue but many players have been unavailable for noteworthy amount of matches this season. The club’s performance went nothing but downhill in the absence of first choice players. Nerve racking matches lead to fans and boards blaming anyone they seemed comfortable to strike as guilty.
Louis Van Gaal started giving newly scholars of the academy a dream chance of their life by playing them in the domestic League and European matches as well. And not to a great surprise, they did well. At least, better than what the fans and critics expected or even what their fellow teammates projected. The United squad slowly became largely independent on the youth players that they were the ones running the show in all big and small matches. Players like Lingard and Varela who were struggling to get chances are now regulars in the team. The team currently relies more than they should on youth players. It’s like the club spent huge amounts of money to buy players from other teams to sit on the sidelines.
I know United produces youngsters who later go on to be legends of this beautiful game but it has never been this extreme before. It’s ridiculous how an 18-year-old is given the responsibility to lead the attack of a team like Manchester United, playing as the lone striker. The club should stop playing many youth players in the senior team, especially in big matches now that most of the injured players have recovered and returned to training. They will obviously take some time but the earlier first choice players should regain their place in the team as soon as possible.
These are very crucial times for the Red Devils and the more experienced players need to step up a notch in their hard work and contribution, and be the ones to start in big games. A club of such stature lacking experience on field in big matches is a bit disappointing. United really needs to step up their game and sign better players who can have a great impact on the team confidently, and bring experience and discipline to the team.
It’s not that the youngsters aren’t skilled or lesser of a footballer than others but having a good amount of experience before playing in big games results in a notable better performance.
