By
Jamie Jackson -
Phil Jones is hopeful of signing a new deal at the club with negotiations ongoing regarding the 23-year-old’s fresh terms. The central defender’s current contract expires at the end of next season and it is thought Jones will follow Chris Smalling in committing his future to United until at least 2019.
Although Jones is currently injured he and Smalling have impressed Van Gaal in the seven times they have played together this year, though this small number of appearances in tandem continues to question their ability to form a regular partnership.
Van Gaal still favours adding at least one central defender in the close season, Borussia Dortmund’s Mats Hummels remaining the manager’s No1 choice.