Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has revealed that there is a long-term strategy in place to introduce member of the club's academy into the first team.

Earlier this week, 20-year-old Tyler Blackett penned a new two-year deal at Old Trafford, and with James Wilson and Paddy McNair making senior appearances this year, Van Gaal has admitted that he is happy to hand first-team experience to his younger players.

The Dutchman told reporters: "When I came here, they told me that they wanted to have more youth academy players in the first team and also, there is the rule in the Premier League that you must have a certain amount of players in your own squad - that is also important.

"I am happy that we can sign players from our youth academy and our players are very popular. We also have a lot of youngsters out on loan, and we can pick and select the clubs where the players can play every week.

"That is a strategy. I believe in players that you have educated in your own youth academy - maybe that is the reason I am sat here."

United will hope to regain third place in the Premier League table on Saturday afternoon when they host Sunderland.