José Mourinho hints at imminent Ashley Young exit

No transfer deadline drama was expected at Manchester United, though manager José Mourinho has hinted that there could yet be some movement at Old Trafford. Unfortunately it’s nothing particularly exciting; just that veteran winger Ashley Young could be on the move on deadline day after five-and-a-half years of service. Quoted on United’s official website, Mourinho said:

“The only player I'm aware of, who could possibly leave, I'm waiting just for 31 January to know really what is going on, but the only player I'm waiting for a decision on is Ashley Young. I would love to keep him.

“I'm not happy if he leaves but he's the only player I was informed that there would be a possibility of him leaving. That's why I didn't play him and I gave chances to other people. I don't know if he's going to stay with us. If I could choose, definitely yes, he would stay with us.”

The possibility of Young leaving has all come rather out of the blue; he’s not been strongly linked with a move elsewhere in the press — at least, not as far as we’ve noticed. However, Young is now 31, and it’d be perfectly understandable if he wanted to enjoy some regular football while still young enough to produce at the top level. We’ll be keeping an eye on this one.