Manchester United defender Paddy McNair has penned a new two-and-a-half year deal with the club, keeping him at Old Trafford until summer 2017.
The 19-year-old centre-back progressed into the first-team under the management of Louis van Gaal at the start of the season, and impressed when joining a heavily criticised defensive line.
With 622 minutes of Premier League action to date, the Northern Irishman has made 10 appearances for the Red Devils in the top tier of English football, while also making two appearances in their FA Cup run.
Making his debut against West Ham United in a 2-1 victory in late September, McNair was praised a star performer in his side’s goalless trip to Tottenham Hotspur.
"To make my debut for this great club earlier this season was a dream come true," McNair said. "I'm pleased to have signed a new contract. 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-mates."
The youngster has now been rewarded by boss van Gaal – who also handed debuts to academy products Tyler Blackett, Jesse Lingard, Reece James, Andreas Pereira, Saidy Janko and Tom Thorpe this season alone.
Dutchman van Gaal added: "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 player. Promoting youth players is very important both to myself and to the club and I am delighted Paddy has signed a new contract."
The manager also suggested last week that McNair has the potential to become United’s right-back for the next decade, after excelling as a full-back against Cambridge United.