Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is eager to treat Manchester United's youngsters with kid gloves, and not over-play them this season, despite being encouraged by what he's seen from the likes of Mason Greenwood.
The United boss has opted for youth over experience since taking over from Jose Mourinho and promoted Greenwood, Angel Gomes, Tahith Chong and others to his first-team squad after some high-profile departures in the summer.
All three started United's 1-0 Europa League win over Astana on Thursday night, though Solskjaer will revert to a more experienced side to face West Ham today. Greenwood is likely to be rested, though could feature alongside fellow academy graduates like Scott McTominay and Andreas Pereira, who've been handed more prominent roles this season.
But Solskjaer remains determined to give youth its chance - especially in the cup competitions this season.
"We learned quite a few things," he said in an interview with Sky Sports when asked what the Europa League win over Astana taught him and his coaching staff about the young players.
"Obviously we played quite a few of the youngsters forward. You want them to go out there and express themselves and the experienced guys behind them to give them a platform. And with Mason's goal it paid off.
"We've got to try to protect them, find the right moment to put them in, find the right moment to rest them and give them guidance behind closed doors.
"We'll just support them, the back-up here is great.
"They're almost ready. That's why they're training with us - and they're doing well in training.
"It's a different matter playing for Man United when you go into big games in the Premier League. We've got a young squad, they don't have too many older ones to play behind. The young ones - you'll see them enough. Mainly in the Europa League, the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup."
Solskjaer sold Romelu Lukaku to Inter Milan in the summer and also allowed Alexis Sanchez and Chris Smalling to join Serie A clubs on loan, while Antonio Valencia and Ander Herrera were released.
The Norwegian wants to use young players to plug those gaps in his squad as he rebuilds United.
"Of course I want to be a part of bringing the club back to where we used to be," said the former Reds striker.
"We know the Premier League is a different animal to when I played - and when we used to win.
"Man City and Liverpool last season were fantastic. We know we're in a starting phase of a new team, many players have been and gone. Now there's some youngsters coming in and we know we're one or two players light because of injuries, but that gives opportunities for the kids to play and for me to get the best out of them.
"I'm honoured to be part of rebuilding this club and hopefully put my stamp on it."
