Louis van Gaal: I want England to pick my Manchester United lads for Under-21s

United manager can see the benefit of playing for the Under-21's ahead of next year's European Championships

Louis van Gaal (GETTY IMAGES)

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal is happy to make his young players available for England’s Under-21s in next summer’s European Championship.

While Arsène Wenger and Roberto Martinez are reluctant to release their players, Van Gaal believes the Czech Republic tournament can be a vital component in the continuing development of 19-year-old full-back Luke Shaw, defender Phil Jones, 22, and 21-year-old striker Will Keane, who is on loan at Queens Park Rangers.

The Old Trafford manager said: “It is a very good education and an experience not many players can have. As the trainer-coach of this club, I should be very happy that Shaw is playing with the Under-21s. “I am very happy he is playing because when he is on the bench, like Januzaj was on the bench, he was on a two-week holiday. That is not a benefit.”

Wenger has said he does not want 21-year-old Arsenal midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to go to the tournament, a sentiment shared by Martinez about 20-year-old Everton midfielder Ross Barkley.

Van Gaal pointed out that the defence that took his Netherlands team to the World Cup semi-finals – Stefan de Vrij, Daley Blind and Bruno Martins Indi – all played at Under-21 level for their country and developed from there into the full national side.

Luke Shaw played for England's Under-21's in the recent games against Croatia (GETTY IMAGES)

United visit West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League on Monday evening still looking for a first away win of the season.