Van Gaal championing youth as Borthwick-Jackson makes bow

It was a proud moment for the club and for the player himself when Cameron Borthwick-Jackson made his senior debut in the 76th minute of United's 2-0 win over West Brom. 

Replacing Marcos Rojo, the 18 year old local lad became the 890th Red and the 29th player to be handed a United bow under Louis van Gaal. 

Borthwick-Jackson is the eighth Academy graduate to feature for the first team since LVG took charge, following in the footsteps of Jesse Lingard, Tyler Blackett, Reece James, Saidy Janko, Andreas Pereira, Paddy McNair and Tom Thorpe in making the step up to the senior side. 

Lingard scored his first United goal after numerous loan spells and Borthwick-Jackson did well in his 14 minutes, putting in a neat and tidy display that suggests further first-team chances may beckon.
Having named Axel Tuanzebe on the bench at Palace last week, Van Gaal explained why Borthwick-Jackson had been given his chance, and said:

"I have seen him once or twice and I have been impressed with him, and yesterday I knew that Marouane Fellaini was injured so asked the Reserve coach what players he had for me.
"Warren Joyce said he had a left-back in good shape and I needed other options for the left side because Rojo has played a lot of games so I had to take that into account.
"That is why I put Cameron in my line-up and I have to say he did very well" said the United boss. 

Borthwick-Jackson has been on the radar for some time, making his Under-21 debut as a 16 year-old and scoring the winner in the 2014 Milk Cup final.
Along with 17 year old team-mate Tuanzebe, Borthwick-Jackson has been a stand out performer in Joyce's side, starting all Under-21 fixtures along with three outings in the Europa Youth League.

Borthwick-Jackson looks at home at left-back or centre-half and has made the progression through the ranks to display his increasing maturity.

"Cameron has been excellent for me this season, he has gone from strength to strength and is tall, strong, quick and has all the equipment needed to succeed" said Joyce. 

Lingard is blossoming, CBJ has broken through and Pereira is in the squad week in week out, championing young local talent is something this club has always done and Van Gaal looks set to carry on this tradition as he continues to find the formula to return United to the top.

The future's bright, the future's red and white!