I suggest giving him a year or maybe two more to push for a place. But if by that time all he still has going for him is being a United fan, an academy product, being relatively inexpensive and already being here... we might as well cash in on him and give that squad place to younger academy players, who'll do the same job, cost even less, support United just as much, and has the potential to really improve.
Squad players shouldn't just be here to play the strict role of squad player - they should either offer pre-proven first team quality alongside serious experience (eg. Ferdinand and Giggs) the potential to be first-teamers, or maybe versatility. Not just because it's convenient.
Right now he offers a tiny bit more than the young midfielders in the academy, but that won't be the case in a year or so.