Erik ten Hag insisted Manchester United’s welter of youngsters have “deserved” their chances in pre-season.
Speaking after United concluded their pre-season campaign with a 1-1 draw against Athletic Club – secured by Facundo Pellistri’s stoppage time leveller – Ten Hag was asked about his policy of including young players in the club’s hefty calendar of friendly fixtures.
Omari Forson, Noam Emeran, Dan Gore, Alvaro Fernandez and many other academy products have played big parts in an extensive United pre-season schedule this summer.
All four played against Bilbao in Dublin with another, Kobbie Mainoo, only absent due to injury. Pellistri, 21, is not a homegrown product but is another who has shone in the summer games.
“They deserve it, otherwise we don’t line them up,” Ten Hag told MUTV. “In pre-season, we have to give them opportunities, but they have to take it. Be brave and show yourself if you want to stay in the first-team.”
Ten Hag was pleased with the general character United have shown in recent games.
Both against RC Lens on Saturday and on Sunday against Athletic, they fought back from 1-0 down to avoid defeat, beating the French side 3-1 at Old Trafford and earning a share of the spoils at the Aviva Stadium.
“In one week, two times we were losing, but this team showed character,” added the Dutchman. “We have to show resilience, and you have to at times show the determination.
“They don’t give up, they fight until the end. I’m happy we got the equaliser, and we had to fight for it. Today I saw good spells, at the start we were very good, and we should’ve scored.”
