In the same year that he sold Welbeck he promoted Lingard to the senior side, and he would have been a regular starter last season if his knee hadn't exploded against Swansea during the first match of the season.
And, yes, big signings are also important. United have always mixed yoof and experience.
My point was that Van Gaal has kept a smaller squad than most would like because he is giving the young players a chance. He's said this again and again during his press conferences. This isn't a new thing, he's done it all the way through his career.
And I won't backtrack anything if the United board descend into lunacy and appoint Maureen as the United manager. I, and a great deal of other United fans, will absolutely fucking livid. It's been made pretty clear that Giggsy is planned to take over from Van Gaal when his contract is up, if Van Gaal does get the sack at the end of the season I don't have a problem with Giggsy taking over a year earlier than planned.