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Jesse Lingard believes Louis van Gaal's youth policy will inspire United's academy hopefuls.

Lingard is the only survivor from the Reds FA Youth Cup winning 2011 who has carved out a senior squad berth at the club.

The 23-year-old admits role models were rare when was attempting to gatecrash the first team and he was almost a victim of the minefield that costs so many young hopefuls their Old Trafford futures.

But the Warrington-born midfielder says the Class of 2015-16 given chances by Van Gaal will do wonders for United's conveyor belt.

“When I was coming through Adnan Januzaj got his chance under David Moyes. I had come through the system with Adnan so it gave me a boost and all young players need that. You need that carrot,” he said.

“At the time we won the FA Youth Cup Sir Alex Ferguson said that we'd be the next batch of kids who'd come through together. But Ravel Morrison went, Paul Pogba went and Michael Keane went for instance.

“There was a kind of feeling that nobody was getting a chance and people were going. You have to start thinking about what to do.

“When Rene Meulensteen (Fergie's former assistant) went to Fulham (in 2013) that was an eye opener for us all. We all saw it as a possible chance for us to go there. He knew us and we thought there might be opportunities.

“Ryan Tunnicliffe and Larnell Cole went. Rene wanted me but Moyes rejected it. You never know what might have happened. Just like you never know what might have happened had Paul Pogba stayed at United instead of going to Juventus.”

Meulensteen was sacked at Craven Cottage after just two months. Tunnicliffe is still a regular in the Championship with the club and Cole is on loan at Shrewsbury.

Lingard ultimately went on three loans before he made a senior breakthrough this season.

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“You knew if you didn't think you were going to get a sniff then you'd have to look elsewhere on loan," Lingard added. "I went to Birmingham and Brighton and then Derby. I knew I needed regular football and I think I was wise with the moves I made.

“There are a lot of different routes to get to the first team and luck plays a part. But when you are in the youth system it is good to see other young players getting opportunities. That's why it is good that the manager is playing young players this season. He likes young players and he can trust us.

“It all helps other young players in the academy knowing there are examples of lads like themselves getting opportunities. It lifts you.”

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