Paddy McNair's Reaction to Southampton Disappointment Is His Biggest Test Yet

You often hear managers say that you learn more about your players during the tough times than the good. If that's true, Louis van Gaal will learn a lot about Paddy McNair in the next few days.

The 19-year-old has enjoyed a sharp rise. He wouldn't have expected to get anywhere near the first-team this season. But circumstances, injuries and suspensions, mainly, have conspired to give him a chance.

The general feeling before Monday night's trip to Southampton was that he's taking it. With McNair in the starting XI against West Ham, Everton, Crystal Palace and Arsenal, United won them all. 

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He showed himself to be a strong and competent defender. The way he handled Romelu Lukaku at Old Trafford in October was particularly impressive. 

But against Southampton at St Mary's on Monday night, he had a rough night. Starting on the right side of the back three, he allowed himself to be dragged around by Southampton's swarming forwards, leaving gaps between Chris Smalling and then Jonny Evans in the centre.

Van Gaal couldn't wait until half-time to make the change, and McNair had to suffer the indignity of being substituted after 39 minutes. He wasn't the only one at fault in a shaky first half, but he was the obvious choice to come off.

Van Gaal said afterwards per Sky Sports (h/t the Daily Mail) McNair had suffered a crisis of confidence and he had no choice but to take him off:

"

He hadn't any confidence. He had already given three big chances away.

I had to (substitute him), it's very disappointing for me and also for Paddy, but I had to because as a manager, I'm responsible to win. And I think, after the change, we played a little better.

"

If McNair thought his biggest test was being thrown into the deep end this season, the next few days will be an even tougher examination. Van Gaal has dealt with enough young players throughout his career to know that mental strength is one of the most important qualities they can have.

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And he'll discover how much McNair possesses in the way he deals with the low of his performance at Southampton.

McNair will hope his next game comes quickly. Depending on the system Van Gaal chooses, it could well be against Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday with doubts over the fitness of Phil Jones and Smalling.

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Alternatively, Van Gaal might decide he needs a spell out of the spotlight. After Tyler Blackett was sent off against Leicester in September, he didn't start another game for two months.

McNair's breakthrough season has not been easy. He's had to deal with the rigours of the Premier League, all the while playing in a seemingly ever-changing back line. 

He will have learned plenty already from being around the first-team every day as much as his first six senior appearances. And over the next few days, Van Gaal will learn a lot about him.