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Manchester United youngster Tom Thorpe admits he needs first team football to continue his development.

The defender has long been seen as an exciting prospect at the club and excelled this season as reserve team captain, but has been largely overlooked by Louis van Gaal.

A solitary appearance for the senior side - as an 89th minute substitute in the September win over West Ham - does not come close to the 1022 and 633 minutes that fellow defenders Paddy McNair (20) and Tyler Blackett (21) have managed respectively this season.

Thorpe believes the opportunities his teammates have been given are a positive, but is in no doubt about what he needs to improve.

"Seeing them play in the first team makes you feel like you could get a chance," he said. "It does give you a confidence boost and you just have to work hard.

"I think the next stage is obviously first team football.

"That's clear for anyone - the fact that I've played in the reserves for a while, I've captained the reserves - so naturally that's the next step for me to take.

"You have conversations with your coach and your manager and you want to know your thoughts on how they see you and where they see you fitting into the team."

An FA Youth Cup winner four years ago who has long been part of the England youth set-up, Thorpe's lack of opportunities at United - particularly in a season where defensive injuries have been plenty - has perplexed regular watchers of the reserves side.

Yet given the nature of the youth policy at Old Trafford - Blackett and McNair got their chance from staying while Michael Keane's loan to Burnley was made permanent - Thorpe is wary about a temporary move in the search for first-team football.

"I think it would be [an option] because it is naturally the next step you need to take," Thorpe told M.E.N Sport.

"At a club like United you don't necessarily want to be trying to force yourself out of the window on loan because you want to see where your opportunity might lie."

Van Gaal's policy of using the Under-21 games as part of first team players' recovery from injury has helped results. As United face City at Old Trafford on Tuesday knowing that victory could see them claim the league title, skipper Thorpe has enjoyed playing alongside the likes of Phil Jones and Jonny Evans.

"They're more than willing to give you advice. You can talk to them about anything, they're very approachable. It can only be beneficial.

"It can just be a certain game situation, how to handle different teams and the way they play, strikers...things like that.

"Everyone is working for each other, it gives great experience for the younger lads playing with those kind of players."

United play City at 7pm on Tuesday night at Old Trafford. There is free entry for supporters.

You can see pictures from United U21s' victory over Liverpool earlier this season in the gallery below.