Three Manchester United Youngsters who deserve an opportunity against Yeovil

Manchester United travel to Yeovil Town in the FA Cup on Sunday hoping to avoid another upset in the Cup this season. Although the Red Devils are unbeaten in their last ten games and the hosts have won just five games and sit at the bottom of League 1, Van Gaal said that his side is nothing for granted.

With United keen to rest some first-team players who have played a lot of games in the last month, there is a very good chance that some of the youngsters who are knocking on the first-team doors, will be given a chance to play on Sunday. With the likes of Tyler Blackett, Paddy McNair and James Wilson already relishing the first-team opportunities, who else will join them and force their way into the side? Here are the three youngsters who deserve a chance against Yeovil.

1. Andreas Pereira

Ever since signing for Manchester United’s academy from PSV Eindhoven in 2012, Andreas Pereira has flourished at Old Trafford. A Brazil-born Belgian youth international, Pereira signed a professional contract with United in 2013 aged just 17 and has since then shown just why everybody in the club’s academy raves about him.

He was the captain of the Milk Cup-winning team in 2013 and was voted the Player of the Tournament after thriving in the extra responsibility and scoring three goals. Used primarily as a No.10, he has shown that he is useful on the wings as well and is a threat from set-pieces. Confident and comfortable in possession with a very good eye for a pass, the 19-year-old is on the brink of the first-team, which is already brimming with playmakers. But with Van Gaal keen to rest Juan Mata and Angel Di Maria still not fully fit, Pereira deserves his chance against Yeovil.

2. Ben Pearson

For all the talk of United splashing the cash in a bid to bring back Paul Pogba, Van Gaal will be better served by giving young Ben Pearson a run in the first-team. Born in Oldham, the tenacious central midfielder has been with United since 2004 and in that time has represented both the club and the country at various youth levels.

Pearson showed his commitment and dedication, when he won the club’s Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year award in 2013, just a year after recovering from a nasty bout of glandular fever. A central midfielder who can combine the ability to pass forward confidently with an eye for a tackle, the 19-year-old is just the player the club needs right now. Under-18 boss Paul McGuinness described him as “an outstanding passer of the ball, a combination player and a good playmaker” who can link midfield and has the ability to “snuff out danger”. If he is a given a regular run, he could well be the answer to their midfield woes and a start against Yeovil would be the perfect opportunity for him to show Van Gaal just what he can do.

3. Saidy Janko

Right back has been a problem area for United throughout the season. With Antonio Valencia injured, Ashley Young came in to replace him at right wing back and when the Englishman too limped off with a hamstring injury 15 minutes from time in the 1-1 draw with Stoke, Rafael came on. But given that Van Gaal doesn’t particularly prefer Rafael thanks to his injury prone nature, now might be the perfect time to bring in Saidy Janko.

The 19-year-old arrived on the same day as Marouane Fellaini and is now on the fringes of the first-team side thanks to all the injuries. Reserve team coach Warren Joyce has been full of praise for the Swiss U-19 international whose versatility is one of his main strengths. Capable of playing as a right back, right wingback or a right winger, Janko not only has the pace and the power to go past defenders but also the intelligence and maturity to put in a good cross consistently. The game against Yeovil might be the perfect opportunity to give him only his second appearance for the Red Devils.