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Louis van Gaal deserves credit for putting his faith in youth instead of signing proven players at Manchester United, according to Paul Merson.Having brought in Radamel Falcao and Angel Di Maria during his first season at Old Trafford, Van Gaal has since taken a gamble on relatively unproven players, with Anthony Martial, Memphis Depay and Matteo Darmian brought to the club at the start of the current campaign.The Dutchman has come in for intense criticism in recent months as Uniteds alarming slump has seen them eliminated from the Champions League and fall out of contention for the title. Van Gaals youngsters We look at Louis van Gaals Manchester United academy graduates A lengthy injury list has forced Van Gaal to blood several academy prospects in recent weeks, with Marcus Rashfords remarkable step up to the first team the highlight as United claimed vital wins against Midtjylland and Arsenal respectively.And Sky Sports pundit Merson believes the criticism of Van Gaal has been harsh, particularly in light of his youth policy compared to other league managers. High-profile signing Radamel Falcao failed to produce I feel sorry for Van Gaal a bit, Merson said. He could have come into United and spent all that money on 28-year-olds, proven footballers who have won things.That might not have helped the club in the long term but it might may have delivered a trophy. However, in three years time it would leave the club in a worse place than they are now.But he hasnt done that. He went out and has bought youngsters for the future and has given other youngsters a chance. Marcus Rashford grabbed two goals and an assist on his Premier League debut Its not the same as [Arsene] Wenger, who has been manager for almost 20 years. Van Gaal has been there for less than two, so its a completely different case.He has bought players for the future for United as a club. Hes not thinking of himself, hes hoping they are going to be in a better position when he leaves.United will be out to maintain their recent upturn in form when Watford travel to Old Trafford on Wednesday night. Rashford has scored four goals in his first two Manchester United games The Reds have the chance to win four consecutive games for only the second time this season, with victory keeping their slim hopes of finishing in the top four alive.Merson believes Uniteds signings, aided by their unfazed academy players, are starting to settle into life at one of world footballs biggest clubs and has tipped the resurgence to continue. Van Gaal has bought players for the future, for United as a club. He’s not thinking of himself, he’s hoping they are going to be in a better position when he leaves. Sky Sports Paul Merson United are really getting some momentum behind them and the goals of Rashford seem to have lifted the whole club and the fans, Merson added. When one of your own scores a couple of goals, then the supporters walk away seeing a brighter future.Away from him, it feels like some of the others are now getting used to playing for a very big club. Van Gaal has invested in Uniteds future with the acquisition of Memphis Depay and Anthony Martial Anthony Martial was playing in front of small crowds at Monaco and now hes learning his trade in front of 75,000 at Old Trafford.Watford will be hard to play against but I expect United to win on Wednesday.Also See:Man Utd close to 1,000 goalsMan Utd v Watford previewLVG: Leave Rashford in peaceKeep Rashford hungryJamie McGinn Jersey . -- Linebacker Myles Jack ran for four touchdowns, defensive end Cassius Marsh caught a scoring pass, and No. Cheap Adidas NHL Jerseys . Three came down to the fourth quarter while quarterbacks continued to shine in all four games; so important to the overall quality of the game. http://www.cheapfloridapanthersjerseys.com/ . Perez, 35, posted a 1-2 record with a 3.69 earned-run average in 19 relief appearances last season. His season ended Aug. 9 due to a torn ligament in his left elbow. Perez joins infielder Andy LaRoche and catcher Mike Nickeas with minor-league agreements for 2014 that include invitations to attend spring training. Mark Pysyk Jersey . Brett Kulak and Jackson Houck of the Vancouver Giants were each charged with assault causing bodily harm on Aug. 18, according to the B.C. court services. Keith Yandle Jersey . Jane Virtanen scored two, and Alex Roach and Elliott Peterson rounded out the offence for the Hitmen (40-15-6). Brady Brassart chipped in with three assists. Colton McCarthy scored twice, Brayden Point had a goal and two assists, and Jack Rodewald also scored for the Warriors (15-35-9), who were 2 for 5 on the power play.SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Not even in grade school, Tom Brady cried from his seat at The Stick when Dwight Clark made The Catch.The New England quarterback had so counted on playing at Candlestick Park in 2008, his first NFL game back home in the Bay Area against the 49ers team he watched Joe Montana lead when Brady was a boy.Then, a season-ending knee injury spoiled his plans. He cant quite believe it took until age 39 and his 17th NFL season to finally get a shot on San Franciscos home field.I had everything arranged and set up before the season for my family and friends, and then I got hurt, Brady said. So it is (shocking), it is. It will be a lot of fun. Ive got a lot of people coming to the game and it will just be a great environment.This could perhaps be the only time Brady gets the opportunity, and he should feel pretty confident about his chances of winning with the AFC East-leading Patriots (7-2). The New England quarterback might have to change teams to visit Levis Stadium again after Sundays matchup with the Niners (1-8), losers of eight straight since a season-opening win against the Rams.He was there when Clark leaped high and pulled down the Montana touchdown pass that helped send San Francisco to its first Super Bowl after the 1981 season.I was, I think 4 years old and my parents brought me. I cried -- I wanted one of those foam fingers and I cried the entire first half, Brady recalled. Finally, my dad bought me one to shut me up for the second half. I think I have a picture of it.It was just a great. I remember we were on the opposite side of the stadium, and I started crying when everyone jumped up and screamed at the end when Dwight made the catch. I still have those memories.San Francisco went to New England in 2004 and again in 2012 to win 41-34 during the 49ers Super Bowl season.It was a great feeling to go up there, get that victory, especially against a team like that, quarterback Colin Kaepernick said. It was huge and it was another confidence builder for our team.Here are some things to watch for Sunday:BETHEAS FIRST PICK: San Francisco safety Antoine Betheas first career interception is still plenty fresh 10 years later. He has the ball at home in a case.It came with the Colts against Brady, in Foxborough, on Nov. 5, 2006, the first of three career picks he has of Brady passes.Its definitely something I remember, out there in Foxborough, BBethea said.dddddddddddd Of course Im always going to remember that, especially because it comes on a top-caliber quarterback.HOT TICKET: Brady, who grew up in nearby San Mateo, has arranged countless tickets for Sunday -- more than ever.I may never get the opportunity again, so its nice to have all the support, and Ive had a lot from the Bay Area over the years, Brady said. My high school, my elementary school, and I still have so many friends from growing up, and coaches, my family, my aunts and uncles, cousins. It will just be a lot of fun to be out there.KAEPERNICK IMPROVES: After failing to complete even half of his passes in each of his first two starts, Kaepernick has been much sharper the past two weeks after the bye.Healthy again after three surgeries, and promoted in favor of Blaine Gabbert last month, he is completing 59 percent of his passes for 304 yards, three touchdowns, one interception and a 96.8 passer rating.ROOKIE WOES: Patriots rookie defensive back Cyrus Jones returned last week against Seattle after being a healthy scratch for three straight games following his ejection during New Englands win at Cleveland on Oct. 9. During an up-and-down first year, he also has struggled to find consistency as a kick returner.Jones performance will determine how much he is on the field.It doesnt necessarily stay the same, Patriots coach Bill Belichick said. It hopefully gets better, but we just have to evaluate those performing opportunities.LEWIS RETURNS?: Pats running back Dion Lewis was taken off injured reserve last week, but was inactive against Seattle. He has made progress since returning to practice, but the Patriots are unlikely to rush him.New England is getting great production out of LeGarrette Blount, who leads the league with 12 touchdowns rushing. James White has also been a solid pass catching option out of the backfield, hauling 33 receptions for 290 yards and three touchdowns.I think any time a player is coming back from missing a significant amount of time, theres a certain buildup process, Belichick said of Lewis. Its hard to predict how thats going to go.---AP Sports Writer Kyle Hightower in Boston contributed to this report.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '