Despite all the things so clearly wrong with the Louis van Gaal era at Manchester United, the Dutchman is doing something crucial.

Perhaps, it's why he's still in the job.

The Red Devils have a proud history of blooding burgeoning talents into the first-team and turning them into house hold names.

The Busby Babes. The Class of 92. Federico Macheda. Well, not everyone's a hit obviously.

Granted, van Gaal has had little option but to turn to the youngsters in his ranks due to the injury crisis he has had to endure, though there is still an element of braveness.

We've seen the likes of Calum Borthwick-Jackson, Marcus Rashford and Timothy Fosu-Mensah impress, though the buck does not stop there.

As ever with the United academy, they boast some true top quality.

Want a closer inspection of the latest crop of Red Devils?

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PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE FIVE MAN UNITED ACADEMY STARS THAT SHOULD BREAK THROUGH NEXT SEASON.

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Regan Poole

Regan Poole has already had a meteoric rise in his career since he became Newport County's youngest ever player at just 16 years of age.

The Welsh centre-back has been included in match day squad under van Gaal, though the stoic form of Chris Smalling and Daley Blind has meant he's not been needed as of yet.

Still, the 17-year old is a huge talent and a classy ball playing centre-half. As he matures, it will be interesting to see how he takes to life in the Premier League.

Sean Goss

 

While comparisons to the great Paul Scholes are for now rather premature, 20-year old German Sean Goss is fast establishing a reputation as a pass master.

Having demonstrated an ability to sit back and dictate play, he could be crucial when United have to grit their teeth and see out games, with the former Exeter City trainee able to make his team tick.

Demetri Mitchell

What the Red Devils have so clearly lacked this season is the option to introduce pace and power into the team.

So often, they seem to play at one plodding pace and the baying public are bored to tears.

In their ranks, they possess a wonderful winger by the name of Demetri Mitchell, whose prowess with the ball at this feet and running players has drawn comparison to a certain Ryan Giggs.

With Memphis Depay flopping, the England Youth international should get a look in this season.

Ben Pearson

While the aforementioned Goss oozes class on the ball, 20-year old midfielder Ben Pearson is a combative presence, adding urgency and effort to the engine room.

That isn't to stay his passing range isn't a wonderful attribute, his eye for a killer ball is fast becoming evident while on loan at Barnsley.

Ashley Fletcher

Marcus Rashford has made a stunning step up to the first-team, emerging as a clinical striker with bags of pace to terrorise defences. Especially Martin Demichelis.

Fellow academy striker Ashley Fletcher is not as fast as the latest Old Trafford hero, though is just as wonderful to watch in full flow.

He's got the size to hold play up and boasts a wonderful technique and the much fabled 'good feet for a big man.'