Paddy McNair has signed Manchester United contract extension says Louis van Gaal

Manchester United defender Paddy McNair has signed a new contract with the club, according to manager Louis van Gaal.

The 19-year-old defender was called up from the Under-21 ranks and handed his first-team debut in October 2014 amid a spate of injuries to the first team, and he went on to make 12 appearances this season.

McNair's current deal at Old Trafford is set to expire at the end of the season but speaking to the press after United's weekend victory over Leicester City, Van Gaal revealed a contract extension has been signed.

The United manager made reference to Adnan Januzaj's new contract - which was signed last season - as an indicator of the club's high regard for the player, a step they have also taken with McNair.

"The former manager [David Moyes] has chosen him to play [Januzaj] from out of the youth and he had an extension of his contract, so then you know that he is a Manchester United player," Van Gaal told Press Association, as reported by the Independent.

"Paddy McNair, now, is coming from out of the youth, he has extended his contract, so he is a Manchester United player."

McNair had a starring role in United's 3-0 win over Cambridge United in their FA Cup fourth round replay on Tuesday 3 February. The Northern Ireland Under-21 international was deployed at right-back in that win and later told the club's official website he is ready to play "anywhere".

While McNair's future at the club appears to have been resolved, there is still real doubt over two other youngsters who have featured under Van Gaal this season. Tyler Blackett and Andreas Pereira are also out of contract at the end of the season, with little indication from the club as to whether or not new deals with be offered.

Belgian-born Brazilian Pereira has been frequently named in the Dutchman's match-day squad but has made just one appearance this season. Blackett started in defence in the manager's first competitive game in charge of United but has started just one game since November.