Louis van Gaal is prepared to wait until the last minute to decide whether his tour youngsters are part of his first team plans next season.

The Manchester United manager included Andreas Pereira, Jesse Lingard, Tyler Blackett and Paddy McNair in his pre-season tour squad. And Pereira and Lingard have been particularly impressive in the United States.

Pereira scored in the win over San Jose Earthquakes while Lingard came off the bench to score against Barcelona in Santa Clara on Saturday.

More United news

Van Gaal reveals Di Maria missed flight to America

Read the report from United's 3-1 win over Barcelona

Who was the star man as United beat Barca?

But Van Gaal is yet to decide whether either of them will get enough first-team opportunities next season to keep them at Old Trafford.

The Dutchman is not willing to let Pereira, who signed a new three-year contract in May, leave the club permanently, but he has been linked with a season-long loan move to Lille.

Lingard has been linked with a move to Newcastle, where he would again link up with Steve McClaren, who had the 22-year-old on loan at Derby last season.

Van Gaal is prepared to delay decisions on Pereira and Lingard until the final week of the transfer window to make sure he has enough cover in every position.

There has also been interest from Everton in James Wilson, but he is considered part of the first-team squad.

He’ll only be allowed to leave on loan if United sign another striker before the deadline.

The situation with Blackett and McNair is more complicated.

United v Barcelona in pictures.

United are losing hope in their bid to sign Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos with the 29-year-old reportedly on the verge of signing a new deal at the Bernabeu.

Van Gaal is understood to be relaxed about starting the season with Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Marcos Rojo and Daley Blind and possibly Jonny Evans as his senior centre-backs.

There is still an offer on the table from Everton for Evans.

If no one else comes in it’s likely McNair and Blackett will be kept at Old Trafford next season.

Blackett has been used as the back-up left-back to Luke Shaw on the pre-season tour while McNair has offered covered at both right-back and centre-back.

After criticising his young players after the win over San Jose, Van Gaal was impressed with how they reacted against Barcelona.

He said: "I was very happy with the reaction of the youngsters. They were more aggressive and that’s what I always want.

"Sometimes you make the wrong choice and lose, but that happens with youth.

"But we scored two goals with the youngsters, so I am very happy."