Ashley Young is expected to remain at Manchester United this season despite attracting interest from a variety of clubs over the summer transfer window, according to reports.
The Englishman, now United’s fourth longest serving player, only featured sporadically during the 2016/17 campaign, making 12 Premier League appearances, but his contributions when called upon were vital – especially away from home. He produced a superbly disciplined, dedicated performance against Liverpool at Anfield back in October and impressed during wins over Blackburn Rovers and Saint Etienne, alongside wearing the armband for United’s 2-0 win over Chelsea in April, exuding an unquestionable aura of control with every touch.
And Mourinho has always made note of the important example Young sets to younger members of the squad. Speaking after a 3-1 defeat to Watford back in September, he remarked: “You see Ashley Young, his mentality the happiness and confidence he brought to the game is something more players need to have.”
Off the pitch, Young is a popular presence in the squad and holds the important position of dressing room DJ, which entails pandering to a variety of tastes. But he was close to a January move away, with Mourinho stressing that he didn’t want to lose such an experienced player, and ultimately chose to stay and fight for his place in the side until being sidelined with a groin injury against Celta Vigo. Over the summer a number of offers have come his way: Stoke City, Istanbul Basaksehir and various Chinese Super League sides have approached Young – whose contract expires at the end of the season – over a potential move.
But according to M.E.N‘s Samuel Luckhurst, Young will not move before the transfer window closes on Thursday night after interested parties were put off by the valuation placed on his head. He is expected to return to first team action next month after playing 58 minutes for the reserves last week.
