Louis van Gaal: Manchester United academy stars can join first team if they grab America tour chance

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has claimed that a number of young academy stars "have the possibility to join" the first team next season if they manage to convince him during the pre-season tour in America.

Having handed first time debuts during his career to the likes of Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta, the Dutch boss has continued this policy since his arrival to Old Trafford in 2014.

So even though the Premier League giants have already signed Memphis Depay and are expected to bolster the squad further this summer, the Dutch boss has promised United's young players will have the chance to break into the first team as Tyler Blackett, Paddy McNair, James Wilson and Andreas Pereira did during his first season in charge.

And after academy starlets like Sam Johnstone, Michael Keane, Reece James, Jesse Lingard and Will Keane enjoyed a tasted of the first team during the last summer tour in America, the Dutchman has claimed he is ready to do the same during the coming pre-season.

"I shall take a lot of youngsters with us to the US. They have the chance to show themselves and then we shall wait and see how they can develop. You get your chances always, especially in pre-season and, when you grab that chance, you have maybe the possibility to join us next season," he said to Manchester United TV.

Meanwhile, Van Gaal has hailed the way the Under 21 side won the youth Premier League title under Warren Joyce, but insisted the priority for the Old Trafford academy is to produce first team players rather than win prizes.

"A championship for the second team is fantastic," explained the boss. "But I think one player every year in the first team as a line-up player is much more important."

The Premier League giants will face Club America, San Jose Earthquakes, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain during the International Champions Cup in the US.