Louis van Gaal said he had no doubts about handing Cameron Borthwick-Jackson a first-team debut after the 18-year old came off the bench during Manchester United’s 2-0 win over West Brom yesterday.
The defender replaced Marcos Rojo after 77 minutes at Old Trafford, and in the process became the eight Academy graduate to make his debut under van Gaal’s management. Goals from Jesse Lingard and Juan Mata put the Reds a point off the top of the Premier League table heading into the international break.
And the Dutchman explained to MUTV after the game why Borthwick-Jackson deserved his chance:
I have seen him once or twice and I have been impressed by him. Yesterday, I knew that Marouane Fellaini was injured, so I talked with [Under-21s coach] Warren Joyce and asked what he had for me.
I’m always talking with him or [Under-18s coach] Paul McGuinness, and he [Joyce] said at the moment the left full-back is in good shape. I needed a left full-back because Marcos Rojo had played a few games in a row, so I have to take into account that it might be too much.
I put Cameron in the line-up without any fear, and I have to say he did very well.
Borthwick-Jackson joined Lingard, Tyler Blackett, Reece James, Saidy Janko, Andreas Pereira, Paddy McNair and Tom Thorpe in making their first-team debuts under van Gaal, and it was a solid first outing for the youngster. Here’s hoping we see more of him in the future.
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