Former Manchester United academy chief Brian McClair has explained the club's approach to bringing through players to the first team.

McClair insists there was always a plan for each individual player in the system.

He explained to the Manchester Evening News: “Players have always been given a chance, going back to Sir Matt Busby and that's continued.

“Sir Alex Ferguson revitalised it.

“You need to have (youth) teams, but give them a platform to become a Manchester United player.

“We looked at players saying, 'Have they got a chance of playing? Will they help those other players?

“Not to take loads of players and hope one pops out."

He continued: “You would look at the make-up of Alex Ferguson's squad and think, 'How long is he going to be there?'.

“You felt there needed to be a pathway. You could see how they would eventually get in.

“There is a goal-scorer and a really skillful footballer. Where would he fit in?

“We think he is a bit like a young Paul Scholes.

“You would look at Roy Keane and think how long is he going to be in there? And (Darren) Fletcher got a chance.

“That's how we looked at it. It wouldn't be fair (otherwise)."