According to Sky in Italy, Red Devil Ashley Young has turned down an offer of a one-year contract extension from Manchester United and looks increasingly likely to leave Old Trafford in the January transfer window. Ashley Young is one of the last disciples of the Sir Alex Ferguson era, signing for United from Aston Villa during the summer transfer window of 2011.
The England international has proven to be a valuable squad player in the time since, being popular among David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, and Jose Mourinho. Manchester United are facing a threat to keep hold of the winger-turned-defender, with Inter determined to snap him up. Antonio Conte has already raided the Red Devils for the likes of Lukaku and Sanchez. And he wants to take Young to the San Siro – and preferably this month.
The 34-year-old’s current deal expires in the summer and United made the offer of a one-year extension in order to fend off interest from Inter Milan, as Antonio Conte tries to strengthen his squad in the fight for the Serie A title. Inter are in the midst of a tight battle for the Serie A title with defending champions Juventus, however, so they would likely prefer a January switch.
According to the sports outlets, United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants to keep the veteran at the club as a dressing-room leader. His versatility―he can play as a winger or full-back―is an added bonus.
The veteran has started 10 Premier League matches so far this season, playing mostly as a left-back. He has made 28 starts in the competition in each of the last two seasons. He arrived at Old Trafford in 2011 from Aston Villa, and he’s one of the longest-tenured players in the squad.
Young was left out of United’s squad which lost to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night, but Solskjaer played down rumors that he could be on his way to Inter. The previous Molde manager opined;
‘Tonight’s not the night to talk about players leaving because we need the players that we have in the squad,’
‘And we’ve got a few months left of this season, we can’t weaken ourselves we need to strengthen ourselves if any movement is going to happen.’
Asked whether Young’s move could happen in the summer, Solskjaer replied:
‘I don’t know what you’re talking about, you’ve got to ask Ash.
‘For me it’s about focusing on the next game and tonight.’
