COMMENT: Wait a minute, United fans. Just wait a minute.
There is actually one area where Louis van Gaal is not only maintaining Manchester United traditions, but actually surpassing them. And that's the kids.
United supporters have not seen such a commitment to local youth since the early years of Sir Alex Ferguson and his 'Fergie Fledglings'.
It's been 26 years since United, with Lee Sharpe (17), Russell Beardsmore (20), Lee Martin (20) and Mark Robins (19) all in the line-up, not only beat defending champions Liverpool 3-1, but played them off the park. It was the fans' first glimpse of Fergie's revival of the club's youth system - and had Old Trafford bouncing.
Today, the football doesn't match what was seen all those years ago, but the buzz around the youth policy certainly should.
It won't please the plastics (as our columnist Die Hard Charlie would say about some Chelsea fans), but for those supporters who love to see a local lad make good, for all the frustration with LVG's possession football, it is encouraging that so many youngsters from the academy are getting their chance this season.
The praise for Van Gaal has to come with a qualifier, though. This is more by fault than design. LVG insists on working with small, tightknit groups. From Barcelona to Bayern Munich, he's always insisted on a limited senior squad, with the remaining places filled by academy kids. The injuries that have hit United this season have simply forced Van Gaal's hand.
But credit the Dutchman, as he has chosen his line-up on form, rather than reputation, which has seen the emergence of Jesse Lingard and the introduction of Cameron Borthwick-Jackson. Also, after convincing Andreas Pereira to snub PSG and Juventus over the summer, Van Gaal has been good to his word, giving the Brazilian his first team chance this term.
At Wolfsburg on Tuesday, Guillermo Varela and Nick Powell made their European debuts, and Van Gaal threw on teenager Borthwick-Jackson at left-back ahead of the 30 year-old Ashley Young. They didn't get the result, but United fans should take some comfort from the line-up at the VW. Far better losing in such fashion with a team of real potential, than a bunch of 30 year-olds with their best days behind them.
A level down, on the same day, Nicky Butt's U19s were playing Wolfsburg off the park in their final UEFA Youth League game. United won 2-0, with Callum Gribbin, the highly-rated 16 year-old, turning in his best performance at that level.
In Manchester, the emergence of Borthwick-Jackson and Lingard will get around. The resentment from United towards Manchester City over their aggressive recruiting methods has found its way to the national press this season. But it's been bubbling for some time - with accusations of City even making attempts on United registered juniors.
However, for all the back-and-forth, the best recruitment tool for any junior scout is a manager who gives his academy players a chance. And this season, Van Gaal could not have done more to help the club's talent spotters.
There must be concern, though, over the influence of Van Gaal's methods on the club's youth teams. From Butt's UYL line-up, to the U21s and U18s, it's glaring that United are playing with a packed midfield and a lone striker in their games. The traditional 4-4-2 has been thrown out the window, replaced by the 4-5-1 of Van Gaal's first team.
When you hear of Memphis Depay being ordered to tone down the tricks, it has to be worrisome that the same message is being relayed to the likes of Gribbin and Angel Gomes.
Staff at United and with England reckon they have a real gem on their hands in Gomes. At 15, he's already a first-choice for Paul McGuinness' U18s and is making national headlines with his dazzling play. Gomes is the son of former pro Gil Gomes, who won the U20 World Cup with Portugal alongside Luis Figo and Paulo Sousa.
But will Gomes' progress continue under Van Gaal? And how much does his influence stretch beyond the first team?
The system, with the lone striker, is already locked in place. United fans must hope the likes of McGuiness and Warren Joyce (U21s) can feel comfortable enough in their roles to challenge the manager if they feel his way will blunt the potential of the next Ryan Giggs.
