Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has insisted that the young players have him to thank for his policy of giving youth products a chance in the senior squad.
Despite going through a difficult campaign this season, the Dutchman appears to be turning a corner with improved performances and results in recent weeks.
With their goalscoring woes subsiding, he has been praised for giving young players such as Marcus Rashford an opportunity to impress.
The prospect has responded with four goals in three games, and Van Gaal has insisted that the 18-year-old hasn’t saved his job.
“[The young players] want to prove and they want to show to the world, to the manager, to everybody, that they are the best, so they always give spirit to a team,” Van Gaal told reporters, as noted by ESPN FC.
“That is why we have decided not to invest in January and I have said that already two months ago, but you don’t want to believe it. The policy is to have a small selection and then you can give youngsters a chance.
“Now I have read that Rashford is saving me. No, no, Rashford is thanks to my policy, and the club, of course, [and he] has proved that.”
United will look for a fifth consecutive victory in all competitions when they face West Bromwich Albion this weekend, as they continue to apply pressure to those above them in their pursuit of a top-four finish to secure Champions League football next season.
However, Van Gaal has insisted that the players need to stay focused and continue to give their best as their policy is risky in terms of relying on young players to make the difference consistently.