This article is part of Football FanCast's Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers...

Speaking on The Season So Far (as quoted by The Express), Andros Townsend has insisted Manchester United's approach to playing the youngsters will eventually "pay off".

What did he say?

The Red Devils have endured a topsy-turvy campaign this year, with speculation mounting in previous weeks that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could be fighting for his future as manager at the club. However, a recent revival which has seen them pick up five wins in their last six games has certainly stemmed the wave of criticism, and the Manchester side currently find themselves back up to seventh in the Premier League.

And whilst Townsend revealed it is unlikely United will return to their former glories almost immediately, he backed them to eventually become the real deal when some of their young stars further develop and mature.

The Crystal Palace winger said: "Man United are probably not going to get to where they want to be until Rashford is maybe 26, 27, (and) McTominay’s 25, 26. Until they get to a mature age and then probably you’ll start seeing the real Man United again. But definitely in the long run I think blooding those youngsters is definitely going to pay off."

The long game

In fully investing in this approach of going with the youngsters, United are in it for the long haul. There will be periods of short-term pain, the likes of which they have already experienced this season when they succumbed to really disappointing defeats to Crystal Palace and Newcastle.

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But those moments of turmoil and difficulty will undoubtedly stand their young players in good stead, giving them a whole new understanding of the game. Football isn't always about constant success. The lows are also make up for a significant part for it, and in experiencing it now, United's young prospects will learn and be the better for it.