Teenager Paddy McNair has been awarded with a new contract at Manchester United, after the youngster established himself in Louis van Gaala s senior squad this season.
The 19-year-old centre-back joined the Red Devils in 2011, and rose through the ranks at the cluba s youth system, making his first team debut against West Ham United in September last year.
Since then, the Northern Irishman has made 10 Premier League and 2 FA Cup appearances under the Dutch manager, and has now agreed to a new contract that will keep him at the Old Trafford till 2017, with the option of extending it further for another year.
a To make my debut for this great club earlier this season was a dream come true. I’m pleased to have signed a new contract,a McNair was quoted as saying by Manchester Uniteda s official website earlier today.
a I have come through the Academy here and I feel I am improving my game all the time with the help of the manager, the coaching staff and my team-matesa , the player added.
Van Gaal was also all praises for the young footballer after he signed the new deal, and felt that McNair had all the qualities to succeed at the top level.
a Paddy has risen through the ranks to become an integral part of the first team squad. He has all the attributes to develop into a top playera , the manager said
a Promoting youth players is very important both to myself and to the club and I am delighted Paddy has signed a new contract.a
The boss had previously complimented the defendera s performances and believed that that McNair could be the answer to the cluba s defensive woes in the future, and had a bright career ahead of him.
a Paddy McNair has developed himself very well, not only as a central defender but now we are giving him the chance to develop as a full-back and he did it very wella , the former Ajax manager had earlier said.
a He has done it already in the second team [Under-21s] and has done it now at a higher level in the first-team,a the 63-year-old continued.
a Maybe he shall be the right full-back of Manchester United for the next 10 years, you never know. He has the chance.a