José Mourinho set to extend Ashley Young’s United contract

Ashley Young has impressed José Mourinho sufficiently to earn another year at Manchester United. That’s according to a report in the Mirror, who claim that the extension clause in the 32-year-old’s £130,000-a-week contract will be activated to ensure the versatile winger will stay at Old Trafford until at least the summer of 2019. Kerching!

Mourinho is said to have been impressed by Young's versatility, with the England international having featured in defence and attack — and on both sides of the pitch — for United this season. He was linked with a move away from Old Trafford over the summer, though he’s been rewarded for his loyalty with a surprising deal of game time.

Though this news isn’t much to get excited about, it’ll still please most United fans. Young, of course, shouldn’t be relied upon as a first-teamer, but he’s a highly consistent rotation option, and his ability to play in multiple positions makes him an even more valuable asset. Having joined from Aston Villa back in 2011, he’s now one of United’s longest-serving players, and his quiet determination is one that some of our youngsters would do well to emulate.