Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has hailed the display of his young defenders in his side's 2-1 victory over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
Injuries to Phil Jones, Jonny Evans and Marcos Rojo left Van Gaal short of options at the back as Tyler Blackett and Paddy McNair were pressed into starting duty against the Gunners in London.
However, they limited the attacking threat of Arsenal, with the aid of David de Gea, despite being forced into an early change when Luke Shaw was forced off with an injury.
Van Gaal told reporters: "I am convinced that I made the right decision. This is the life of a manager, the result is always giving you the reason or not [to pick these players]. I cannot do other things because I don't have so many players.
"Shaw has come back from internationals not fit enough so we made him fit, but then he gets injured again. Then I have to give Young a game but Young is not fit enough to play 90 minutes. I have said this before. Then I have to change the line-up again.
"I think the players have done fantastic. Tyler Blackett, Paddy McNair and Luke Shaw, how old are they? So when you play against a team like Arsenal, a team that are always changing position, you have to have communication. I think that is pretty good, but I was not pleased with the overall performance."
United moved into the top four of the Premier League for the first time this season courtesy of the victory.
Simon Sinclair
