Louis van Gaal Plans Reported Contract Talks with Manchester United Trio

Louis van Gaal is set to offer Ashley Young, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones new contracts at Manchester United, according to David McDonnell of the Mirror.

The current deals of all three expire at the end of next season, which means that they will begin to lose their value in the coming months if an agreement isn't reached. McDonnell suggests Van Gaal will offer up to four-year extensions for the English trio after being "impressed" by them all since replacing David Moyes last summer.

Young can be considered United's most improved player this season. The former Aston Villa winger has reacted well to being pushed into an attacking full-back role, where he has assumed greater responsibility.

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He has proved to have a good eye for a tackle, and his quality distribution has helped United work the ball out from the back. Young's delivery into the opposition's box has also improved.

Nobody expected the 29-year-old to keep United's record buy, Angel Di Maria, out of the side, something he managed during Sunday's 2-1 win over Liverpool. Previously a figure of much criticism due to poor form and various diving incidents, Young has really stepped up this year.

Smalling and Jones remain enigmas. Despite putting in two dominant performances against Tottenham and Liverpool, they have proved error-prone and inconsistent again this season.

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Jones especially was expected to push on as one of the club's leaders, but this has yet to happen. Funnily, his game is often limited by his energy, as the former Blackburn Rovers player tries to plow into every ball that comes his way. He is far more assured when picking his moments and using this aggression wisely.

B/R UK's Sam Tighe believes Young and Jones feature in United's current best XI:

Smalling recently admitted Van Gaal wants his players to "to take a bit more responsibility," according to Chisanga Malata of the Daily Star. He showed this against Liverpool, stepping out of defence with possession at his feet and breaking into midfield with confidence. It was potentially a watershed moment for the player, who like Jones has rarely delivered on his potential.

Obvious improvements have arrived in recent weeks, but it's now about pushing on for all three.

Van Gaal will likely work to sign at least one world-class defender during the summer—with reports surrounding Borussia Dortmund's Mats Hummels doing the rounds again, according to John Edwards of the Daily Mail—so this is no time for any of these players to become complacent.