Van Gaal gives Man United players his backing in England under-21 games

Louis Van Gaal has given the green light for any Manchester United player to represent England Under-21s at next summer’s European Championships.

The issue has been the hot topic ever since England sealed their place in the Czech Republic after a two-legged play-off victory over Croatia on Tuesday.

Gareth Southgate’s side included United’s Luke Shaw, who dropped down from the senior squad to bolster the team.

Calls have been led by Gary Lineker to send a squad that is as strong as possible to give the Young Lions their best chance of winning the tournament for the first time since 1984.

That would mean the possibility of selecting the likes of Everton pair Ross Barkley and John Stones, Arsenal duo Jack Wilshere and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, as well as Shaw and United team-mate Phil Jones.

Roberto Martinez and Arsene Wenger have been quick to express their reluctance about their players’ involvement, but the Manchester United manager takes the opposite stance.

And his work as Holland coach backs up his argument. In 2013, he sent three of his first-choice back-four from the senior team to play in the Under-21s in Israel.

While six of that Dutch squad went to Brazil a year later, only Jordan Henderson played in both tournaments for England.

“It would be a very good education for my players,” states Van Gaal. “I said this when I was national coach and all my players had played for the Under-21s.

“It’s an experience that not so many players can have. My defence for the full team Daley Blind, Stefan De Vrij and Bruno Martin Indi played in the European Under-21s Championship.

“There was not any discussion or question about it. But I’m like that because I think all the players want to play.

“But you have to always see about each individual player because not everybody is the same. As manager, I have to know that.

“Some players are maybe too tired, but the managers and the medical departments of the club and the federation have to communicate better.

“But for me as a club trainer, I should be very happy that Luke Shaw is playing for the Under-21s.

“When he is on the bench, like Adnan Januzaj was for Belgium, that is like two weeks’ holiday. That is not a benefit.

“Shaw can play better in the Under-21s. That’s why guys like Januzaj, Andreas Pereira and Paddy McNair have played in the second team for me when they are free. Youngsters need to play.

“Shaw was happy to play because he needs matches. It was good for the Under-21s, it was good for me, and it was good for Luke.

“There are some special cases where you need to communicate, but that is not so difficult.”