United travel to the Stadium of Light to face Sunderland on Sunday

Van Gaal: 'when you are fitting (youngsters) in a philosophy you can do lots'

Youngsters Jesse Lingard and Tyler Blackett played for United last week

United succumbed to a 2-1 defeat in Van Gaal's first match at Old Trafford

He told Neville in an interview for The Telegraph that it is his 'philosophy'

Van Gaal defends his decision to play youngsters against Swansea last week

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has defended his decision to put his faith in youngsters against Swansea City last week - by telling Gary Neville it has always worked for him in the past.

Having endured a 2-1 defeat in his first Premier League match in charge at Old Trafford last weekend with a team containing Jesse Lingard and Tyler Blackett, Van Gaal remains confident he will succeed.

The Dutchman remains undeterred by the result and will continue to utilise the youngsters he has at his disposal in his United squad, just as he has done at Ajax and Bayern Munich previously.

VIDEO Scroll down to watch Louis van Gaal say he went from king to devil in two weeks

Philosophy: Manchester United manager has insisted he will stick with his ideals and play the youngsters

Questioning: Gary Neville (pictured) interviewed Van Gaal for The Telegraph and asked him about his philosophy

True to form: Van Gaal has always played the youngsters at every single club he has been at in the past

When questioned by Neville for an interview in The Telegraph, Van Gaal responded that his 'philosophy' was to play with kids.

The Dutchman said: 'I actually played with 17-year-old players in a (Champions League) final (for Ajax).

'So don't say to me that youngsters cannot play football. When you are fitting in a philosophy you can do a lot.

'And of course Seedorf was playing at 17 in a final. And Seedorf was a fantastic player. (Patrick) Kluivert was 18 - and he scored a goal (the winner in the final against AC Milan).'

United and Van Gaal travel to the Stadium of Light to face Sunderland on Sunday in their first Premier League away match of the season.

Youth: Van Gaal (right) lifted the Champions League trophy with youngsters at Ajax in 1995 (left)

Bright spark: Van Gaal played Patrick Kluivert at Ajax and she scored the winner in a Champions League final

Revelation: Clarence Seedorf (left) was also given his breakthrough by Van Gaal while he was at Ajax

New man: Tyler Blackett was played in central defence by Louis van Gaal last weekend against Swansea City