Neil Redfearn says he "wouldn't hesitate" in giving first-team opportunities to any of the club’s youngsters after watching the Under-21s run riot in Monday’s "outstanding" 5-0 thrashing of Huddersfield Town.

The head coach was present in the stands at the John Smith’s Stadium as goals from Dario Del Fabro, Brian Montenegro, Chris Dawson (penalty), Kalvin Phillips and Ross Killock put the 10-man Terriers to the sword in convincing fashion.

Both Phillips and Lewis Walters have been among Redfearn’s substitutes in recent weeks, with the head coach already thinking about adding to the four Academy graduates – Sam Byram, Alex Mowatt, Lewis Cook and Charlie Taylor – who have been regulars in his side this season.

"It’s good to look at everything and, if the opportunity arises, I wouldn’t hesitate to put any of these boys in," said Redfearn.

"They’ve proved that they’re good enough and the lads underneath are pushing them as well.

"It’s a healthy situation to have. It’s always good to have good young players, your future is always your kids and the future looks really bright.

On the Under-21s’ Yorkshire derby victory, Redfearn added: "I thought it was an outstanding performance, there was some great football played.

"They’re usually close games against Huddersfield and keenly contested, but we were by far and away the better side.

"We started off well, got an early goal and the boys played some polished football. The goals were the icing on the cake in a really good performance."

Phillips was handed a place among the substitutes for the second time this season in Saturday’s 1-0 win at Wigan, and although the midfielder was not called upon at the DW Stadium, Redfearn is confident a first-team debut is just a matter of time.

The 19-year-old added the fourth for United’s youngsters at Huddersfield with a stunning strike from range, leaving Joe Murphy helpless as it flew fiercely beyond the Town goalkeeper on 73 minutes.

Redfearn said: "It was an outstanding finish. He’s capable of that sort of thing, he’s a powerful boy.

"He’s got a hammer of a right foot, it dropped for him on the edge of the box and he struck it beautifully. The keeper had no chance. He’s capable of that.

Asked if Phillips is close to a first-team chance, Redfearn replied: "I think so. He was a sub on Saturday and, to be honest, I wouldn’t have hesitated to have thrown him on if I thought we’d have needed him because I think he’s capable.

"He’s more than capable of going in there and holding his own. He’s physically capable with a great technique.

"He’d probably add us a different dimension with his range of passing as well."

The Under-21s’ victory capped a productive couple of days for the youth teams, with United’s Under-18s also enjoying an impressive victory over the Terriers on Saturday – winning 3-0 at Thorp Arch – as confidence runs high throughout the club.

"It always helps if your first team is winning because it makes it a happier club," said the head coach.

"But the young boys have been playing well all season and we’re getting youngsters breaking through - obviously there’s Byram, Cook, Mowatt and Taylor.

"And we’ve got players who played on Monday – Kalvin Phillips was on the bench on Saturday, he played ever so well and scored again.

"Lewis Walters has been on the bench, he looked bright again and young Chris Dawson looked back to his sharp self so it’s a really good plus.

"I thought the two centre-backs, Killock and Del Fabro, looked really assured.

"They defended well, cleared their lines well, organised and got the side up the pitch. They both scored as well which is a real plus."