Monday 20 October 2014 19:21, UK
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal insists none of his players can expect to walk straight back into the side.
United have been hampered by injuries throughout an indifferent start to the campaign, particularly in defence, with the likes of Chris Smalling, Jonny Evans and Phil Jones all sidelined.
New signings Luke Shaw and Marcos Rojo and midfielders Ander Herrera, Michael Carrick, Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia have also been among the casualties.
These problems are now starting to ease, although Wayne Rooney is suspended for another two games, but Van Gaal claims no senior player can take a place for granted.
The Dutchman said: "Nobody is walking back in my team. You have to earn it on the training ground - every player knows that.
"I have great respect for the players I use at this moment and I have also the confidence in these players.
"When you mention Rooney, Carrick and Jones - of course they are great football players, but we have more great football players. Sometimes the other football players are doing better. It is not only the name.
"I have seen, for example, the youngest player, (Paddy) McNair, was outstanding in his first match. You have seen the reaction of the fans. Every time he touched the ball - applause.
"Of course Jones, Evans and Smalling were not available, but I am always thinking that youngsters can take the job over, especially one or two games."
Van Gaal revealed on Friday that Evans, McNair, Valencia and Jesse Lingard were the only players remaining on the injury list, suggesting that Herrera, Smalling, Jones, Carrick and Young were back in training.
That quartet could come into contention for Monday’s trip to West Brom, but Van Gaal says his side’s erratic performances are not simply down to a lack of personnel.
He said: "I have said only that not always players of name are the best. I am looking for constant levels with individual players.
Nobody is walking back in my team. You have to earn it on the training ground - every player knows that.
"The problem is to perform the philosophy together with 11 players on the pitch. When we are doing that on the training ground, together, the results shall come. I am convinced of that."
United have been questioned for not directing more of their £150million summer outlay into defence, but Van Gaal insists his squad should be good enough.
He accepts, however, that the disruption caused by having to make changes to his backline due to injuries has had an impact.
The 63-year-old said: "I have mentioned that three central defenders were injured. Is that normal in a club? I don't think that is normal.
"Then Jones and Valencia were also injured, so more or less five defenders.
"But (if) we have to buy five central defenders then they don't have any option to play (when others recover). You have to give options to the players to play, otherwise they are not involved. That is why I am working with 26 players, not 35 players."
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