Louis van Gaal insists he is not taking a risk by looking to Manchester United's Academy to solve his injury crisis.
Van Gaal is considering handing 19-year-old defender Paddy McNair his debut in Saturday's home game against West Ham.
Van Gaal has been forced to look at the teenager because he will be without Tyler Blackett, who is suspended, as well as injured trio Jonny Evans, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling.
United conceded four goals in the final 28 minutes at the King Power stadium last weekend, when they lost 5-3 to Barclays Premier League newcomers Leicester.
But pairing Marcos Rojo, the club's only fit senior centre-back, with a youth player, would not be a gamble, according to the United manager.
"The younger players are always ready," Van Gaal said. "They can have their chances now. That is also the policy of this club.
"They have hunger to play the game and Manchester United youth education has a certain level that can provide that.
"It's a big difference (between youth football and the Barclays Premier League), but in one game you can show yourself."
Last weekend's defeat left United with five points - their worst total after five matches since the Premier League's inception in 1992.
Speculation continues United will launch a huge bid to bring Cristiano Ronaldo back to Old Trafford next summer, but critics like Ruud Gullit and Gary Neville - among others - argue defensive reinforcements are required more urgently.
Van Gaal insists United's defending this year has not been as some have made out though.
He said: "When you look at our figures in the Premier League, apart from the goals at Leicester we are defending well.
"The average is less than one per game. We are scoring a lot of goals, too. We are fifth or sixth in terms of scoring."
Van Gaal does not deny the task he faces in reviving United's fortunes is a tough one though.
In fact, the Dutchman, who has won the Champions League, and league titles in Spain, Germany and Holland, concedes his latest job may be the toughest he has faced in his 23-year long management career.
"At this moment it is maybe yes [my toughest job]," Van Gaal said.
"As a manager you know in advance it's a big challenge and the club is in a transition but you don't know in advance the difficult moments."
When asked whether he was still confident of achieving the aim of a top-three finish set by his employers, Van Gaal said: "Yes. We should have won last weekend.
"If we had we would have been two points off second place in the table. Because of the loss you are now questioning me.
"If we'd have won it would be different. You can't make one incident a regular one. We will overcome things. The season lasts more than one competition day."
