Contract talks between Manchester United and Ashley Young have broken down, according to the Daily Star.
The 30-year-old’s current deal ends next summer, and if he doesn’t sign a new one he will be able to talk to new clubs from January. This will surely be something that the Red Devils will want to avoid after his great form during Louis van Gaal’s debut season in charge.
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The winger managed to win a regular place in the side despite the arrival of record £59.7 million signing Angel Di Maria in his position [BBC]. It looks like the England international will have to do this all over again after Louis van Gaal brought Memphis Depay to the club, with the 21-year-old another who can play on the left wing.
Were they to also sign Barcelona star Pedro [Daily Telegraph], it could make competition for the role even tougher.
Despite this Young still seems keen to stay.
“A lot of people thought I had it [a new deal] done but I haven’t. It’s in the club’s hands now, so I will have to see how it goes,” he said, “I’m desperate to stay. I’m at one of the biggest clubs in the world so I want to stay here as long as possible. That’s exactly what I want to do.
“I’ve had conversations with the club. I hope we can sort things out. There have been preliminary talks but I’ll leave my agent to take care of that. Will the contract be sorted soon? You’ll have to ask the club that.”
He also knows there is still a lot of hard work ahead, but does want to be playing regularly.
“I was delighted with how things went last season. But that was last season, this is a new season and I have to take the confidence I had and build on it again,” he added, “These days you have to be able to play in one or two positions and last season the manager wanted me to play as a wing back. I think I adjusted to that well.
“I have had to slot in to different positions for him. Last season I even ended up at left-back and that is new for me but I know I can go out there and do a job. I’m intelligent and have a good football brain and can read the game so whatever the manager wants me to do I will do.
“I am a player who wants to be playing every week. I’m getting to the back end of the age scale and I am beginning to feel it – but I still want to play every week.”
It is surprising that United have let it come this far, with Young being a key part of the late season form that confirmed fourth spot last time round. The midfielder also showed versatility at wing-back and full-back, which is very important with van Gaal’s propensity for switching formations.
They will need all the squad depth they can get at Old Trafford in the next campaign. The extra games from competing in the Champions League as well as higher expectations in the Premier League mean that team rotation and having many players in form could be vital.