Man Utd: Here's Why Jesse Lingard Starts Against Swansea City

By Simon Gallagher / August 16, 2014

When Louis Van Gaal released his first Premier League team-sheet and it featured not only Javier Hernandez - a reasonable guess for the chosen under-study for the unfit Robin Van Persie - but also rookie defender Tyler Blackett and Jesse Lingard at left wing-back. It seems that the Dutchman is keen to show early on how committed he is to his system, and rather than altering the 3-5-2 system he favours, he has handed the Mancunian 20-year-old centre-half his first Premier League start, and deployed Lingard in a more reserved position than he is traditionally used to.

Van Gaal was expected to make compromises in his ideal starting line-up, and Blackett seemed the obvious choice if Jonny Evans failed to make the team, but Lingard's choice seems more out of left-field:

"Nine injuries and I€™m not nervous. I won€™t change the system because I€™ve instilled it into these players. It is easier to continue with the system than to change it."

But the choice of Lingard also suggests that Van Gaal will look to attack from deep, rather than using the wing-backs as no more than advanced defenders: yes, there might be questions over Lingard's defensive abilities, but when his attacking skills are as exciting as this, it's hard to question his manager's faith...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brvoe5oM8PE

Are you happy to see Van Gaal going with youth rather than changing his system? Share your thoughts below.