Paddy McNair Has Been Given a Chance to Become First-Choice at Manchester United

Manchester United's squad started this season with a clean slate. A new manager always offers fresh opportunities for players, whether they've been in the team under the previous man or not.

When Louis van Gaal was appointed at Old Trafford during the summer, he made a point of reassuring his new players he would take the time to assess them properly. He resisted the temptation to dive straight into the transfer market. 

Aside from Ander Herrera and Luke Shaw, both signed before the Dutchman officially took charge, the bulk of United's business was done late in the window. Everyone had their chance to make an impression. 

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But of all the players Van Gaal inherited, the centre-backs had the most to gain from catching the new manager's eye. Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, who formed the core of United's defence for nearly a decade, left during the summer to pursue new challenges. 

It presented the opportunity for others to follow in their footsteps, as well as those of Steve Bruce and Gary Pallister or Jaap Stam and Ronny Johnsen. Once Ferdinand and Vidic left, Jonny Evans, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling were first in line.

But a combination of injuries, suspensions and patchy form has meant, 10 games into the new season, Van Gaal is still searching for his first-choice pairing at the back.

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The uncertainty, and inconsistency, has handed chances to Tyler Blackett and Paddy McNair, two youth team products who were nowhere the first team just a few months ago.

McNair, in particular, made his senior debut because there was no one else. With Smalling, Jones and Evans out injured, and Blackett suspended, McNair started the 2-1 win over West Ham at Old Trafford in September.

He kept his place for the 2-1 win over Everton the following week, standing up to the physical challenge of Romelu Lukaku in the process.

After losing his place because of a hamstring injury, Marcos Rojo's dislocated shoulder and Smalling's idiotic red card against Manchester City have presented McNair with another opportunity to impress Van Gaal.

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The 19-year-old is in line to start against Crystal Palace at Old Trafford, most likely in a makeshift back four that could also include Michael Carrick and Antonio Valencia.

But McNair has found himself with a chance to be more than just a stop-gap. Evans, Jones and Smalling are yet to nail down a regular place. Even Rojo, signed from Sporting Lisbon in the summer, is still adjusting to a new country and a new league.

McNair has done very little wrong so far. That already sets him apart from some of his competition. Circumstance has presented a chance for someone to become a regular in Van Gaal's new-look defence. With another impressive performance against Crystal Palace, there's no reason why that shouldn't be McNair.