Giggs: Youth will get a chance

Manchester United assistant boss Ryan Giggs says new manager Louis van Gaal will definitely be willing to give young, homegrown players a chance as he looks to revive the club’s fortunes.

United have spent heavily in the transfer market this summer and there was some disquiet among supporters when homegrown England forward Danny Welbeck was sold to Arsenal just before the transfer window closed.

But Giggs says that Van Gaal’s history at Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich indicates that plenty of youngsters will get opportunities during the Dutchman’s reign at Old Trafford.

When asked if Manchester United had changed as a club, Giggs told the Soccerex conference in Manchester: "The club will never change."

"The history of the club is to play exciting football, always give youngsters a chance, and keep to the traditions of the club."

"OK, Danny (Welbeck) has left, which is obviously disappointing because you never want to see a homegrown player leave."

"But this is a manager who gave (Clarence) Seedorf his chance, gave (Patrick) Kluivert his chance, gave (Andres) Iniesta his chance, Xavi, Thomas Muller."

"He’s got a track record of giving young players a chance and (defender) Tyler Blackett has played every game so far this season."

"Underneath (Robin) Van Persie, (Wayne) Rooney, you have got (Adnan) Januzaj, you have got James Wilson."

"It will always happen. Players will leave but we have got to make sure that young players come through, because United fans demand it. And, as someone who has come through, I want to see that as well."

"I want to see young players coming through because fans always give young players a chance. If they make a mistake, fans don’t get on their backs."

"They always encourage them and that has been right through the history of Man United. We never want to lose that."

Giggs also said "yes" when he was asked at the forum if he hoped to manager Manchester United again himself one day.

The United great took charge as interim player-manager for the final four games of last season following the dismissal of David Moyes and Giggs was then named as Van Gaal’s assistant in May.