AS MANCHESTER UNITED’S defensive crisis worsens ahead of the clash with West Ham on Saturday, Louis van Gaal is reported to be considering drafting in 19 year-old Northern Irish defender Paddy McNair to his squad.
McNair, from Ballyclare in Antrim, joined the club in the summer of 2011 and has steadily moved through the ranks to feature prominently for the Under-21 side in recent seasons. Though initially deployed as a midfielder upon arriving, McNair has been increasingly used as a centre-back too, impressed in that role this term.
Louis van Gaal must do without the suspended Tyler Blackett for the game against the Hammers while Jonny Evans and Phil Jones have already been ruled out with injury. Chris Smalling is struggling to get back to full fitness because of a leg problem which leaves Rafael, Marcos Rojo and Luke Shaw as likely starters. But, United have no senior centre-backs to rely on and so Van Gaal may have to deploy the flexible Daley Blind alongside Rojo at the heart of the defence with McNair on the bench.
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Louis van Gaal watched McNair in action for the U21 side recently in a game against Sunderland. Martin Rickett / PA Wire/Press Association Images
Martin Rickett / PA Wire/Press Association Images / PA Wire/Press Association Images
Though it may prove a huge opportunity for the teenager, many hardcore United fans remain confused as to why Tom Thorpe, the U21 captain, has been overlooked. The Manchester-born centre back was on loan at Birmingham towards the end of last season because of a litany of impressive performances though injury interrupted his spell at St. Andrews.
Northern Irish youngster Paddy McNair could feature for Man Utd on Saturday
AS MANCHESTER UNITED’S defensive crisis worsens ahead of the clash with West Ham on Saturday, Louis van Gaal is reported to be considering drafting in 19 year-old Northern Irish defender Paddy McNair to his squad.
McNair, from Ballyclare in Antrim, joined the club in the summer of 2011 and has steadily moved through the ranks to feature prominently for the Under-21 side in recent seasons. Though initially deployed as a midfielder upon arriving, McNair has been increasingly used as a centre-back too, impressed in that role this term.
Louis van Gaal must do without the suspended Tyler Blackett for the game against the Hammers while Jonny Evans and Phil Jones have already been ruled out with injury. Chris Smalling is struggling to get back to full fitness because of a leg problem which leaves Rafael, Marcos Rojo and Luke Shaw as likely starters. But, United have no senior centre-backs to rely on and so Van Gaal may have to deploy the flexible Daley Blind alongside Rojo at the heart of the defence with McNair on the bench.
Though it may prove a huge opportunity for the teenager, many hardcore United fans remain confused as to why Tom Thorpe, the U21 captain, has been overlooked. The Manchester-born centre back was on loan at Birmingham towards the end of last season because of a litany of impressive performances though injury interrupted his spell at St. Andrews.
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Chance Louis van Gaal Manchester United Northern Ireland paddy mcnair Premier League tom thorpe West Ham