Louis van Gaal includes Tom Thorpe and Paddy McNair in United squad

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/sep/26/tom-thorpe-paddy-mcnair-united-squad

Version 0 of 1.

Louis van Gaal has confirmed that Paddy McNair will be in the Manchester United squad for West Ham United’s visit on Saturday, with the manager also including the 21-year-old Tom Thorpe because of the crisis in central defence.

As reported by the Guardian on Thursday McNair – along with Thorpe, his Under-21 captain – has been called in as cover after injures to Jonny Evans, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling, with Tyler Blackett also unavailable because of suspension.

While McNair, 19, and Thorpe are yet to make their debuts – each were unused reserves for the 4-0 Capital One Cup defeat at MK Dons – Van Gaal said: “They are in the squad. That is always why we have a youth education. It was also our policy [to utilise the youth squads] and always the policy of the club too.”

Marcos Rojo is likely to take up the left-sided central defensive berth with the manager then to decide whether to ask Darren Fletcher to partner him or turn to one of McNair or Thorpe.

Although Daley Blind can play the position, his 63-year-old manager ruled out using him there on Saturday, Van Gaal hinting he may start either McNair or Thorpe. “I don’t like having too many left-sided defenders or left-footed players in defence,” he said.

“I think always of balance so [instead] I have to pick up a right-sided central defender from the youth education. Normally, I am always doing things like that. I have already said that we have a lot of vacancies when you buy only six players and let 14 players go.”

Van Gaal has nine players ruled out. “The amount of injuries is worrying me and they are not coming back,” he said. “Smalling is already, for the third time, injured. Evans also. Jones had one injury in the national team, which was unfortunate.”