Erik ten Hag needs to follow Louis van Gaal approach to reignite Manchester United

In the aftermath of Sir Bobby Charlton's death, Manchester United pointed out that their run of selecting Academy players in their matchday squad had surpassed 86 years.

It's an incredible achievement and one that is rightly revered around Old Trafford and beyond. Erik ten Hag is well versed in trusting in youth given the credentials of United and his former club Ajax.

But the Dutchman has so far seemed reticent to hand youth a chance despite the early season struggles. Granted Ten Hag has been denied the opportunity to field Kobbie Mainoo due to injury but the teenage midfielder was overlooked off the bench at Fulham over the weekend.

ALSO READ: United give updates on Harry Maguire and Marcus Rashford

ALSO READ: 'Nobody will be conned' - Neville casts verdict on performance vs Fulham

Elsewhere, Antony and Marcus Rashford have remained first choice despite indifferent showings and the option of Alejandro Garnacho and Facundo Pellistri. The latter showed his credentials in a late Craven Cottage cameo in which his persistence provided the winner for Bruno Fernandes.

Despite that flash, it would still be a surprise to see him start over the misfiring Antony in Copenhagen on Wednesday night. Pellistri, 21, has seven appearances this season, including two starts, but has yet to secure a run of games on which to judge his merits.

The same could be said for 19-year-old Garnacho on the opposite flank. Dan Gore, also 19, has so far been given half an hour off the bench in the Carabao Cup.

And while no one is suggesting the trio are going to reinvent United into something approaching a top-level side, the performances and results shown by Ten Hag's trusted lieutenants only lend themselves to allowing the youngsters an