Ashley Young signs a new deal at Manchester United

After news was broken that Ashley Young and Manchester United were in discussions over a new deal last week, the Reds have now confirmed that the England international has extended his stay at Old Trafford.

While he may have only had a few months remaining on his current deal, Young’s contract extension will now see him stay with the Premier League side until the summer of 2020.

The 33-year-old has made 228 appearances for the club and has been frequently in possession of United’s armband this season.

 

Young extends his stay at Manchester United

Already making 25 appearances for United this season, the versatile Young is seen to be a key member of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s squad.

Since making the move from Aston Villa back in 2011, he has helped the Reds win five major honours, including both the Premier League title and the Europa League.

Last summer Young helped England reach the semi-finals of the World Cup, and he has now been capped 39 times.

13 months ago, United had exercised a clause in Young’s previous deal to extend his terms for a further season, taking him up to the end of the current campaign.

The announcement of Young’s contract extension comes at a time where United have seen a number of their biggest stars extend their stay in Manchester.

Over the past two weeks, both Phil Jones and Anthony Martial have signed a new long-term deal with the former Premier League champions.

It is also understood that Ander Herrera is close to extending his contract beyond the end of the season and negotiations are also continuing with #1 David De Gea.

 

Young compares Solskjaer to Sir Alex Ferguson

Now enjoying an 11-match unbeaten run and jumping back into the top-four, few would have expected Solskjaer’s immediate impact at Old Trafford.

However, with Solskjaer offering United a much-needed attacking identity, Young has been quick to praise his new boss.

In fact, the England man has even gone as far as to compare the Norweigan icon to the great Sir Alex Ferguson, a man that Young spent two years under before the Scot’s retirement.

Speaking after United’s 3-0 win at Craven Cottage over the weekend, the 33-year-old said:

“When Ole Gunnar arrived, in a certain way, I almost had the feeling that Sir Alex had returned Because he was accompanied by Mike Phelan and Michael Carrick.

“But also because Ole Gunnar knows exactly what it means to play for this club. He is at the same time obsessed by victory and wanting his players to express themselves, like Sir Alex.”

With the mood in the United camp the highest it has been in recent memory, Solskjaer will face arguably his toughest test on Tuesday night.

The Premier League side will welcome Ligue 1 champions and European powerhouses PSG to Old Trafford in their Champions League round of 16 first leg.

As the likes of Young, Jones, and Martial all put pen to paper on a new deal, should Solskjaer be the next man to be handed a long-term contract?

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