MANCHESTER UNITED are desperate for Ashley Young to stay on for another year – to avoid the embarrassment of their captain agreeing a mid-season deal to walk away in the summer on a free transfer.
Young has opened talks with Inter Milan about moving to Italy at the end of the season when his current contract at Old Trafford runs out.
Manchester United are desperate to keep Ashley YoungCredit: PA:Press Association
The 34-year-old is able to talk to clubs this month and sign a pre-contract agreement committing himself to a new club while playing out the remainder of the current campaign for United.
And the prospect of seeing their captain and major dressing room influence striking a deal to leave mid-season has sent ripples of worry through the boardroom.
The United hierarchy is already facing criticism over the way it is running the football operation at Old Trafford with the side struggling to secure a top-four finish this season.
And they know it will not look good for such a senior player to commit to moving on at a time when he is so valued by the management.
Boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is desperate for Young to agree to a further year because he is so important as a voice within the United dressing room.
The England star is the most vocal, demanding the highest standards and Solskjaer believes he can ill-afford to lose his presence.
But Inter boss Antonio Conte is making a pitch to tempt Young to Serie A for the final couple of years of his career at the highest level.
Conte tried to take him to Chelsea when he was in charge at Stamford Bridge, and believes he still has the fitness and qualities to thrive in Italy.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
