Ryan Giggs says Manchester United will continue to give youth players first team opportunities

By Scott Saunders

Giggs, speaking at the Soccerex conference in Manchester, says manager Louis van Gaal sees youth development as an important factor in club success. United have been criticised recently for selling youth product Danny Welbeck to Arsenal, but Giggs maintains that there are more players to come through the ranks.

According to Sky Sports, he said: “The club will never change. The history of the club is to play exciting football, always give youngsters a chance, and keep to the traditions of the club.

“OK, Danny (Welbeck) has left, which is obviously disappointing because you never want to see a homegrown player leave. But this is a manager who gave (Clarence) Seedorf his chance, gave (Patrick) Kluivert his chance, gave (Andres) Iniesta his chance, Xavi, Thomas Muller."

Van Gaal has struggled with injury problems since taking over at Old Trafford, but has been quick to throw youngsters from the youth team into first team action. Giggs is encouraged by the Dutchman's history of bringing players through and believes the trend will continue during his time at United.

Giggs said: “He’s got a track record of giving young players a chance and Tyler Blackett has played every game so far this season. Underneath (Robin) van Persie, (Wayne) Rooney, you have got (Adnan) Januzaj, you have got James Wilson.

“It will always happen. Players will leave but we have got to make sure that young players come through, because United fans demand it. And, as someone who has come through, I want to see that as well.

“I want to see young players coming through because fans always give young players a chance. If they make a mistake, fans don’t get on their backs.

“They always encourage them and that has been right through the history of Man United. We never want to lose that.”

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