Cameron Borthwick-Jackson is a player that many Manchester United fans wouldn't have heard of until Luke Shaw's heartbreaking leg break sustained at the beginning of the season.

Whilst the footballing world grieved for the former Southampton man, there was one full-back who was relishing his chance to get a shot in the United starting XI for the first time.

That man was the young 19-year-old defender Borthwick-Jackson, who until the beginning of the campaign, had yet to feature in the starting XI for the Red Devils.

Before we go any further, its important to point out that the youngster wouldn't even be near the first team if it wasn't for the injuries sustained by Luke Shaw and Marcos Rojo, but at the moment that is completely and utterly irrelevant and Borthwick-Jackson won't care a jot.

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He has been thrown in at the deep end in a team that has been under scrutiny all season. United have somewhat hit a peak in the last few weeks, playing some of their best football of the season and it probably won't surprise you when I say Borthwick-Jackson has been a part of that.

Despite stumbling to a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge yesterday, United looked very decent in spells - arguably the best they have played in weeks. The criticism of their slightly lumbered playing style couldn't be applied and going forward, United looked as strong as any side in the top four.

And a lot of that was down to the support that their forwards received during the game, namely from Borthwick-Jackson. The left-back bombed up and down the flank, offering invaluable support to Martial throughout the game. The Frenchman looked extremely positive at times, buoyed by the help he was receiving from his young colleague.

Borthwick-Jackson showed signs of trickery, pace and definite crossing ability. Some of the crosses he was swinging in were sublime and if not for some better attacking play or a bigger target man, United could have benefited from his left-foot more than they did.

But it wasn't just his attacking that should be earning plaudits. His defending was extremely solid throughout the game, considering his age and experience. This is a player who hasn't even played for the England U20s yet, but is holding down the left-back berth in the first team of Manchester United.

There were flickers of inexperience at times but in Willian, Borthwick-Jackson had to deal with Chelsea's player of the season. The Brazilian wasn't at his usual best and you can put that down to what you'd like but the young Mancunian stood strong and dealt with the majority of his runs astutely.

It's no coincidence that United's rise in form came when Borthwick-Jackson came into the side. Young players need to grasp these opportunities with both hands and the 19-year-old is doing that with aplomb.

He knows that when Luke Shaw and Marcos Rojo are fit again, he could be right back down the pecking order with a loan move the most probable outcome.

But he will know he has made his mark on Louis van Gaal, and given him just the slightest bit of food for thought for the future.

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