Manchester United starlet Marcus Rashford in line to become ninth academy player to make debut under Louis van Gaal... so who are the other eight?

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Marcus Rashford has been included in Man United's squad to face Watford
The 18-year-old has been given chance to impress due to injury crisis
Eight other academy starlets have made their debut under Louis van Gaal
Click here for more Manchester United news ahead of Saturday's match

Published: 19:20 EST, 20 November 2015 | Updated: 03:59 EST, 21 November 2015

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Louis van Gaal's famous philosophy has seen him pluck several of Manchester United's starlets from the academy for his first team when he has been short of options.

The United boss has shown he is more than willing to blood youngsters when he is hit with injuries.

Here, Sportsmail looks at the eight other players he has handed debuts to during his time at Old Trafford after he named Marcus Rashford in his squad to face Watford.

Marcus Rashford has been included in Manchester United's squad for the clash with Watford on Saturday

JESSE LINGARD (8 appearances, 1 goal)

The midfielder was made to wait for his Manchester United breakthrough as he was shipped out on loan to Derby, Brighton, Birmingham and Leicester before finally making his Old Trafford bow.

His first competitive appearance for the first team came against Swansea in Van Gaal's first game in charge of the club. The 22-year-old sustained a serious knee injury and had to be substituted after just 24 minutes.

He was sent out on loan to Derby following his recovery and is now seen as a first-team player at United. Lingard, who received an England call-up last week, scored in United's recent 2-0 win over West Brom.

Jesse Lingard (left) scored in Manchester United's 2-0 win over West Brom before the international break

TYLER BLACKETT (12 appearances)

Van Gaal decided to promote Blackett into United's first team during the Dutchman's first season at the helm of the club.

Blackett, 21, proved to be a valuable addition to his squad due to his ability to play at both centre back and left back.

His sending off against Leicester came on a bad day for the club as they fell to a 5-3 defeat at the King Power Stadium. He is now on loan at Celtic after falling behind Paddy McNair in the defensive pecking order.

Tyler Blackett (centre, pictured with Luke Shaw) has been sent out on loan to Scottish giants Celtic

REECE JAMES (1 appearance)

The 22-year-old's only appearance came in United's disastrous 4-0 Capital One Cup defeat by MK Dons.

Left-sided full back James was loaned out to Rotherham and Huddersfield after making his debut.

He is now plying his trade at Wigan Athletic after leaving United on a permanent basis in July 2015.

Reece James (right) appeared in Manchester United's embarrassing 4-0 defeat by MK Dons

SAIDY JANKO (1 appearance)

Janko's only competitive appearance for United also came at the Stadium mk.

Like Blackett, Janko now features for Scottish Premiership champions Celtic.

However the 20-year-old Swiss right back has left Old Trafford on a permanent basis.

Saidy Janko also made his only appearance against the MK Dons before leaving the club for pastures new

ANDREAS PEREIRA (5 appearances, 1 goal)

The Brazilian playmaker, 19, is in and around United's first team but is still yet to really cement a place in Van Gaal's plans.

Pereira, who is highly thought of at the Red Devils, joined United from Dutch outfit PSV Eindhoven in 2011.

His only goal for United, which was a delightful free-kick, came against Ipswich Town in September.

Brazilian starlet Andreas Pereira (left) celebrates with Wayne Rooney after scoring against Ipswich Town

PADDY MCNAIR (19 appearances)

McNair, 20, has made the most appearances of any of Van Gaal's academy graduates.

The Northern Ireland international has often filled in at both centre back and right back when the likes of Chris Smalling and Phil Jones have been unavailable for selection.

He has made just one cameo appearance this season due to injuries.

Paddy McNair has made just one appearance for United so far this season due to injuries

TOM THORPE (1 appearance)

Thorpe, who is now a Rotherham player, made his first and only appearance for United's first team against West Ham in September 2014.

The 22-year-old defender was released by United in the summer after failing to secure a new contract.

Tom Thorpe was released by Manchester United in the summer after failing to hold down a first-team spot

CAMERON BORTHWICK-JACKSON (1 appearance)

Yet another defender to be given his first-team debut by Van Gaal.

The Dutchman decided to call on his services against West Brom after choosing to withdraw Marcos Rojo.

Borthwick-Jackson, 18, will be hoping to be given another chance to impress during the next few weeks as the fixtures come thick and fast.

Cameron Borthwick-Jackson replaced Marcos Rojo in United's last match before the international break

Van Gaal also named 17-year-old Axel Tuanzebe on the substitutes' bench for his side's encounter against Crystal Palace in October, however he did not make it on.