Manchester United news: Louis van Gaal faces a fight in holding on to highly rated youngsters Paddy McNair and Tyler Blackett

Manchester United are reportedly yet to tie down highly-rated young defenders Paddy McNair and Tyler Blackett to new deals, despite both of them being on the final six months of their contracts.

According to the BBC, The Red Devils have not given any indication that they are going to offer the young defenders new contracts in the near future.

McNair and Blackett have both impressed this season and made a breakthrough into the United senior squad, with the duo making 10 appearances for the first-team this season.

Louis van Gaal has always been known to put his trust in young players, and has done it during his previous stints at Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

The young United defenders would not have got as many chances as they have if not for the injuries suffered by the club's first-choice centre-backs Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Marcos Rojo. The trio have spent a considerable amount of time on the sidelines, leaving their manager no choice but to depend on the youngsters.

McNair and Blackett have impressed everyone with their assured performances and United will not want to let them walk away from the club on a free transfer, like they did with Paul Pogba.

The French midfielder, who was not given his chance, walked out of the club and joined Juventus on a free transfer and has now become one of the most sought after midfielders in the world.

Both the defenders are now allowed to talk to clubs abroad as they have just six months remaining on their current deals. It is believed that McNair, who was called up to the senior Northern Ireland squad has rejected one offer from the club, but is yet to receive another one.

Apart from the two defenders, midfielder Andreas Pereira is also in the final year of his contract and is yet to receive an offer of extension.

However, the 19-year-old midfielder has not featured as regularly as his youth team counterparts in the first-team, making just a single appearance in United's 4-0 League Cup defeat at the hands of MK Dons.

The Belgian youngster has been linked with a move away from the club, with reports suggesting that he will move back to his homeland in search of regular first-team football.