Manchester United Winners and Losers if Van Gaal Stays

Manchester United's Dutch manager Louis van Gaal (L) gives instructions to Manchester United's Dutch defender Timothy Fosu-Mensah before being substitued on during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on March 20, 2016. / AFP / PAUL ELLIS / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) /

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Winner: Marcus Rashford

The epitome of Van Gaal’s inclusion of youth in the first team, Rashford has five goals and an assist to his name in just nine games since his debut. Despite being relatively unheralded and off the radar prior to the season’s commencement, the 18-year-old announced his arrival emphatically, with four goals in his first two appearances.

Rashford made his first start after injury to Anthony Martial, a chance occurrence during warm ups of the FC Midtjylland Europa League first leg. But his first involvement would never have happened if Van Gaal had recalled James Wilson following Wayne Rooney’s injury, or if he had signed an additional striker last summer. And the teenager’s involvement even as the squad nears full health signals the belief the manager bestows in him.

Once Rooney makes it back, it will be interesting to see if Rashford can see the odd appearance here or there. Given his performances in his short senior career, he’s certainly done his best to earn at least some level of involvement for the duration of the campaign. With a full summer of training with the first team and a preseason to build upon, next season could be even more impressive for Rashford.

Next: Loser: Adnan Januzaj

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