Louis van Gaal urges Manchester United youngsters to play for the Under 21s next summer... and points to Dutch stars as proof

Louis van Gaal has become the first manager of a
major Premier League club to encourage his
players to go to the European Under 21
Championships with England this summer.
The Manchester United boss wants Luke Shaw,
Phil Jones and other United youngsters to be
picked in Gareth Southgate's squad for the finals
in the Czech Republic at the end of the season
believing it will help further their careers.
'That tournament is a very good education and I
said that as the coach of the Dutch national team
as well,' said Van Gaal.
'My defenders at the World Cup (who reached the
semi-finals) Stefan de Vrij, Bruno Martins Indi,
Daley Blind had all played in the European Under
21 championship. It's a good experience not
many players have.'
Van Gaal's support is in direct contrast to the
reservations of fellow Premier League bosses
Roberto Martinez and Arsene Wenger and will be
a huge boost to The Football Association who are
trying to make international competitions taken
more seriously within English football.