The Dutchman is correct even if it seems otherwise.
Despite spending close to £150m – a British record for a single window – on new players over the summer, many believe that Manchester United need to enter the transfer market again in January for new defenders.
This is because despite spending huge sums on the likes of Angel di Maria, Radamel Falcao and Ander Herrera, Luke Shaw was the only new addition at the back – whilst several experienced faces left Old Trafford.
Patrice Evra, Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic had been the core of the Red Devils back line since 2006, so when all three departed it was always going to be difficult to replace them.
Yet manager Louis van Gaal is adamant the club don’t need to buy any more defenders in the next window.
“When you have injuries you cannot solve the problem otherwise. Do we have to buy players [in January]? No. We have more than enough,” the Dutchman was quoted by the Manchester Evening News.
With nearly all the players at the back having spent at least some time on the sidelines this season it may seem like a bold claim from van Gaal.
It’s made even more risky when the likes of Jonny Evans, Rafael and Chris Smalling are considered to have been in poor form, but the 63-year-old is correct in his assessment.
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There was uproar around certain sections at the Theatre of Dreams over the summer when the signings of di Maria, Falcao et al were perceived to signify the end of the proud history of promoting youth at the club.
Man United legend Paul Scholes has also come out and said that Manchester City’s new £200m academy shows that they are now the dominant force in terms of snapping up talented youngsters in the city.
“When I was a kid, it was the case among the lads I played football with that if Manchester United wanted to sign you then joining Manchester City was not even a consideration. United did not have to persuade or offer inducements. We would have walked there ourselves,” Scholes wrote in his Independent column.
“Thirty years on, and the picture in Manchester is very different and, as a United fan, it worries me. Trying to look at it from a neutral perspective I have to say that what City have achieved is impressive and their impact on the youth scene in Manchester began long before the opening of their City Football Academy this week.”
So the fact that Tyler Blackett and Paddy McNair have been given game time in a new look van Gaal defence should be pleasing to fans who are so keen to point out the homegrown talent their club have produced over the years.
However, signing the big names that have been linked with the Red Devils may be a great solution in the short term, but would stifle the development of the likes of Blackett and McNair.
Admittedly the youngsters’ respective displays haven’t always been great, but they are learning under a microscope and if van Gaal deems them good enough most should bow to his superior judgement.
If youth is continued to be promoted at Old Trafford then supporters need to trust the manager and back those that are already there.