LOUIS Van Gaal declared himself pleased with the performance of Donald Love when the Scotland under-21 defender made his Manchester United debut on Saturday.
Love, a graduate of the Old Trafford club’s youth ranks, came off the bench in the 36th minute of the 2-1 defeat at Sunderland after Italy international Matteo Darmian suffered a dislocated shoulder at the Stadium of Light.
United manager Van Gaal said: “We do not have many more full-backs, not even in the [youth] system. Donald Love played at right-back and he did it well.”
Love can also play as a centre-half. The versatile defender, who was born in Rochdale, was recalled by Van Gaal in January after a three-month loan stint with Gary Caldwell’s Wigan, during which he played seven times.
Love has made three appearances for Scotland under-21s and has also played for the under-17s and 19s.
Speaking during an interview with manutd.com last year, he said: “There is pride whenever I pull on the shirt. I know how hard I’ve got to work every day and I just have to try my best. The game is changing but we have one of the best youth systems around. It’s great if homegrown lads can come through because the fans back you.”
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