Manchester United legend Gary Neville says it's important they maintain an English core.

Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Tom Cleverley and Danny Welbeck were all first-team regulars during the 2012/13 title-winning season, clocking up an impressive 118 appearances between them.

"It is critical to have young English players at the club who are coming through and have good potential," Neville told ManUtd.com. "Those players need to develop and become better. They are now champions after winning the title; they should gain confidence from that and want to go again.

"They should also feel more mature after the experience of losing the title last year and winning it back this season. They are two years on and this third season is where they really need to perform, kick on and become Manchester United players.

"There is a pressure on young players but in the first two years you are given a lot of leeway because you are young. Next year, you are getting to that 22 or 23 age and some of them will need to perform on a far more consistent basis, getting into the starting team more regularly."