Manchester United have become the first major club to back publicly the idea of having a B side competing in the Football League after the executive vice-chairman, Ed Woodward, claimed the 20-times champions believe it would "solve a lot of the issues" regarding the development of youth players.

Woodward's view confirms the belief that there is a will from Premier League clubs to have closer links lower down the pyramid, a subject that forms a key component of the debate initiated by Greg Dyke's Football Association commission. The FA chairman is heading a committee that is investigating ways in which home-grown footballers have a better chance of playing at elite level.

With Dyke having set a target of England reaching the Euro 2020 semi-finals and to win the 2022 World Cup, Woodward is concerned that the current system in domestic football "just isn't as good as it could be".

The breakthrough of Adnan Januzaj, who could qualify to play for England, into United's first-team squad is the exception rather than the rule. Twenty years ago 69% of English players were in the starting lineups at top-flight clubs, a representation that has now dropped to 32%.

Woodward believes the youth system can be improved. "We need to have a look at it. We have strong views at Manchester United on the subject," he told the United We Stand fanzine. "If we could have a B team playing then it would solve a lot of issues. The reserves do deliver some of the objectives, the system just isn't as good as it could be."

But given the resistance from the Football League, a model based on the Dutch system where Ajax had a formal relationship with lower division club Almere City may be more viable.

Woodward is aware that differing models should be looked at. "Barcelona and Real Madrid have a competitive advantage with their system [of B sides]. Ajax have got it," he said. "A team in the division below went bust a year ago. Ajax stepped in and now they are developing their players that way. You can look at different models and what Spurs have with Swindon. You can look at rotating players in the first team.

"There is no clear and obvious answer. If you buy a top 18-year-old, a [Cristiano] Ronaldo or [Wayne] Rooney, they could go straight into the first team. Or they could go into the squad at number 25 or 26."

The Football League is thought to remain privately against the idea of B sides or any formal links between top-flight and lower league clubs. The governing body argues that the loan system allows younger players from elite clubs to gain experience in competitive circumstances. There is also a fear that becoming a feeder for a Premier League team could stop a side progressing through the leagues, as Swansea City have recently done.

In September Greg Clarke, the Football League chairman, said: "The Football League is not keen to have feeder clubs. If you look at leagues which do have them, you tend not to get good attendances. We don't like the idea of it and I don't believe it would solve the problem – but we will look at it as nothing is off the table.

"But if there is a proposal it should be put forward as part of the process and be dealt with by the commission. Let's not hijack Greg Dyke's process."