And he would have improved anyway. The lad has natural talent and a love for the club and a real desire to work hard to improve and better himself. Yes he would have learned from Jose, no doubt, but he would have improved under Moyes if given game time and confidence ffs. Look at all the youngsters who haven't played and improved or been given any time at all.
This is what pisses me off. So many of our youngsters from Januzaj to McTominay to McNair to Pereira and more have all been heralded as the future of United and have a had outstanding reviews after first team appearances yet where are they all now? Yes of course some don't live up to their potential, some don't fit, some.falm by the wayside or maybe weren't ever good enough in the first place but the point is I feel many have been overlooked or not given chances by Jose. LVG for all his faults was looking towards the future with youth.
I've said it before and will say it again. I would have preferred 3 more years of youth development and young signings other than what we have had. We would have been further ahead with more to build on and more to hand over to the next manager. Instead yet again the next manager will have to start all over again.
I could see what LVG was trying to accomlplish. I hated much of our performances and results but i could see his plan. I cant see Jose's. We have wasted 3 years under Jose. Let's not waste anymore.
Could you see what Van Gaal was trying to accomplish because I don't think he could? Using the 4 players you listed above:
- Januzaj started the first 4 games of the season under LVG who then shipped him off on loan. Obviously he had a well devised long term plan for his development as player. His United career over before Mourinho joined.
- McNair was a short term pet project of LVG because he was good on the ball. Was never good enough and LVG eventually noticed this and froze him out. Was on his way out of the club before Jose arrived.
- Periera fell out badly with Van Gaal who refused to play him even though he was playing well for the u23s. He felt it more worthwhile giving first team football to James Weir.
- McTominay was promoted by Jose who still plays him more than he should. LVG wouldn't even know who he is.
Van Gaal just threw a whole host of young players into first team football with no real plan of integrating them into the first team squad. Joe Riley got 2 games (I think), played really well and then never played again, while Donald Love was in the first team.
He played McNair and Blackett while letting Michael Keane go for peanuts. Rashford hit the ground running but only after injury to Martial, Powell and Will Keane forced Van Gaal's hand.
There was no identification of talent and blooding them sparingly for their future development. Regan Poole and James Weir being given first team opportunities was just laughable.
Just because he played lots of young players doesn't mean he did a good job developing them. When you see how far they have all fallen down the leagues that becomes very clear.