Would anyone be against us playing youth players?

You can’t have one of the most expensive teams in the world and pay the wages they are on and play the youth team, it doesn’t and shouldn’t work like that. They have to keep getting shown up for what they are, feel the pressure and feel the scrutiny. They are going to have to step up. I think we will get top 4. And I think we’ll get past athletico in the champions league. Then in the summer I think there is going to be a clear out and re-shape like nothing we have seen before.
 
There is a big, big step up from youth and reserves to the first team in the Premier League. Much moreso than there was when Alan Hansen gave his famous quote. Fans complain about the likes of McTominay but despite his faults he is a 6'4" pure athlete who is used to the pace of the league. Our reserves play nowhere near that level and it would be suicidal dropping a bunch of kids in there. Physically and tactically they would not be ready, and it would be detrimental to their development to have their confidence destroyed. Playing one or two is fine and I would support. Any more than that and we'd be asking for trouble.
 
You cannot just play youth players for the sake of it. It doesn't work like that, the players we try to bring through have to have the ability or even be talented enough to break into the team.

The only players we should bring through are the ones the manager thinks can become regular first team players.
 
Do I think we should replace the failing first team players with youth players. Not really. I'd like to see Maguire sit out a few games and have a run of Jones or Lindelof to partner Varane. And Elanga to maybe play more minutes over Rashford for now.

Maybe sit a few of them on the bench when we start getting some sort of form. Looking at areas like DM/CM and ST. Bring them on when we're 2 up or something with 20 minutes to go.

But that's just my opinion. I don't think Ralf is going to get the best out of our youth players the same as he's not getting the best out of the first team. Throwing them in the deep end will just be setting them up to fail.
 
If there is any of them showing big promise at mid-field and goal scoring, filter them in say from April onwards in the Prem, the top 4 situation will be well gone by then…
 
Hannibal and Elanga are more than enough for now. The rest of the potential hopefuls are either on loan or are 2 or 3 years away.
 
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