Manchester United legend Gary Neville is unsure if the club's young defenders will ever realise their potential.

Neville has revealed that United's three central defenders still have work to do if they are to develop in to proper players at the very highest level.

He said: "When you are with England and you work with the likes of Smalling or Jones, you hope that a manager comes in and grabs them, plays them, trusts and puts belief in them.

"So when David Moyes came in last season we thought that would be good news because David likes British players.

"This season Louis van Gaal has come in. A great coach and someone that worked all over Europe.

"He'll get them good on the ball, good defensively, in good positions to receive the ball, opening their body out and passing forward with composure.

"For Luke Shaw it's perfect. The manager believes in attacking full backs and Luke is fantastic going forward. Luke is powerful, quick and hugely talented. Then you want to get a grip on him and mould him into a world-class player.

"Then with the likes of Smalling, Jones and Evans we still have great hopes for that penny to drop."