Manchester United have plenty of youngsters on their American tour... but what chance do they have of making it into Louis van Gaal's team next season?

• Manchester United are stateside for a four-stop pre-season tour 
• Louis van Gaal has named a number of young players in his squad
• All will be hoping to force their way into first-team contention 
• But United's summer spending makes this challenge harder than ever
• READ: PSG confident of landing Angel di Maria by the weekend 

By Adam Shergold

Published: 07:57 EST, 16 July 2015 | Updated: 09:06 EST, 16 July 2015

They were once the club that proudly won everything with kids, but having slipped back in the Premier League hierarchy, Manchester United have been forced to splash more cash than ever.

Off the back of last summer's £150m spending spree, Louis van Gaal has already sanctioned £77m worth of purchases with Memphis Depay, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Morgan Schneiderlin and Matteo Darmian arriving.

But these arrivals inevitably spell bad news for the club's academy talent, who must now compete with more established names to prove themselves and win a first-team place.

While Van Gaal has reaffirmed his commitment to youth by taking a number of academy hopefuls on the club's pre-season tour of the United States, their challenge is tougher than ever.

We take a look at what they must do to rise up the pecking order and win a place.

Manchester United's young players will aim to impress boss Louis van Gaal on the pre-season tour 

United's new signings Morgan Schneiderlin (left), Bastian Schweinsteiger (second right) and Matteo Darmian (right) have made the competition for places at United more fierce than ever

Van Gaal presents Schweinsteiger, Schneiderlin and Darmian

ADNAN JANUAZJ

Players in competition with: Memphis Depay, Ashley Young, Daley Blind, Jesse Lingard

The great new hope during the David Moyes era, Januzaj took a backward step last season, making fewer appearances and having less influence. 

By the end of the campaign, the Belgium international was reduced to playing in the under 21s and his prospects haven't become any brighter over the summer. 

£25m of Memphis Depay is likely to be the first choice on the left-side, while Ashley Young is also likely to feature given the excellent season he had in 2014-15. Daley Blind, who is set to convert to left-back on a permanent basis, can also do a job in that position if required. 

Although Januzaj is committed to United for the long term, it may be of benefit for the 20-year-old to spend a little time away from Old Trafford on loan.

Adnan Januzaj takes on Nemanja Matic during United's 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Old Trafford last season

Januzaj with his fellow Belgium international Marouane Fellaini during United's training camp in Seattle 

TYLER BLACKETT

Players in competition with: Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo, Jonny Evans, Chris Smalling, Paddy McNair

12 months ago, Tyler Blackett was a complete unknown but his impressive performances on United's pre-season tour - combined with a nightmarish injury crisis - meant he was elevated to first choice in the opening months of the campaign.

Although he reverted to a spot further down the order when established names returned, Blackett nonetheless did enough to earn himself a long-term contract and a substantial pay rise.

His challenge remains the same now, with the likes of Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo, Chris Smalling and Jonny Evans in direct competition for the two centre-half positions.

Plus, with this area being widely considered as one of weakness, Van Gaal will likely sign another defender, possibly Sergio Ramos, before the summer is out.

Louis van Gaal wants to leave a legacy with young players

Tyler Blackett impressed Louis van Gaal with his performances on United's American tour last summer

Blackett (left) shares a joke with Jesse Lingard during United's training session in the USA

PADDY MCNAIR

Players in competition with: Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo, Jonny Evans, Chris Smalling, Tyler Blackett

The same applies to McNair, who enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2014-15 after Van Gaal fast-tracked him into the first team during that debilitating injury crisis.

McNair, like Blackett, won praise from Van Gaal for his combative performances in what was a pretty desperate personnel situation and also signed a contract until 2017.

His 18 appearances for United throughout the season also resulted in a first international call-up for Northern Ireland and McNair could even be heading to the European Championships next summer.

But for Blackett, read McNair too, as he will face stiff competition for a place at the heart of the defence unless United are struck by further injury trouble.

McNair (right) with Sean Goss (left) and James Wilson as United flew out for their pre-season tour

Paddy McNair challenges Harry Kane during United's Premier League match with Tottenham last season

JAMES WILSON

Players in competition with: Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez

As it stands, James Wilson stands to gain from this summer's transfer activity, with Robin van Persie moving to Fenerbahce and uncertainty surrounding the Old Trafford future of Javier Hernandez.

After making his debut during the Ryan Giggs caretaker manager era, Wilson also featured regularly during Van Gaal's maiden campaign, scoring two goals in 17 appearances.

There is talk of a new contract and Wilson is clearly earmarked as someone for the years ahead.

However, United need to buy a reliable centre forward to replace Van Persie and alleviate the pressure on captain Wayne Rooney and this will certainly impact on Wilson, pushing him back to the subs' bench.

Striker James Wilson pictured in training ahead of United's opening pre-season game with Club America

James Wilson celebrates after scoring in United's win over Queens Park Rangers last season

JESSE LINGARD

Players in competition with: Memphis Depay, Ashley Young, Daley Blind, Adnan Januzaj

Lingard was unfortunate at the start of last season, suffering a knee injury in United's opening day defeat to Swansea City that ruled him out until Christmas.

He had impressed on the pre-season tour last summer and had every chance of making a first-team breakthrough before that piece of bad luck.

In the end, he didn't play for United again and spent time on loan at Derby County instead.

Lingard will hope for a better start to the coming season but the 22-year-old will face stiff competition for his left-sided position and could again find himself loaned out.

Jesse Lingard tries on an American football helmet for size during their visit to Seattle

Lingard's summer included playing for England at the Under-21 European Championships 

ANDREAS PEREIRA

Players in competition with: Juan Mata, Wayne Rooney, Marouane Fellaini, Ander Herrera

The Brazilian playmaker, 19, enjoyed an impressive season with United's under 21s and also made his senior debut during the embarrassing 4-0 loss to MK Dons in the Capital One Cup and his Premier League bow against Spurs.

Following a quick return from the Under-20 World Cup, Pereira is now on United's pre-season tour in North America, a sign that Van Gaal intends for him to have some role this season.

However, he faces stiff competition for the advanced midfield role he likes to occupy and similarly for the wide positions he can also operate in.

Forcing his way in ahead of the often-excellent Juan Mata will be a tough ask but Pereira has time on his side and is on an upward trajectory.

Pereira goes up for the ball with Tottenham's Harry Kane during his Premier League debut 

Andreas Pereira (right) trains alongside new signing Memphis Depay as United begin their American tour

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