According to reports in The Mirror, Manchester United winger Ashley Young could see out his contract at Old Trafford rather despite interest from Stoke City this summer.

What’s the word, then?

Well, the 32-year-old has now entered the final year of his current Red Devils deal and The Mirror says that Potters boss Mark Hughes is keen to bring Young to the Britannia Stadium this summer six years after he moved to Manchester in a £15m deal from Aston Villa.

However, The Mirror adds that despite the fact that United manager Jose Mourinho isn’t willing to hand the wide-man a new contract and that he was initially expected to leave this summer, the Portuguese chief now wouldn’t be averse to him seeing out his contract because he is a fan of Young’s versatility.

How did Young do last season?

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While he found first team starts hard to come by, the 32-year-old still showed his importance to the squad by making 23 appearances in all competitions throughout the campaign in four different positions.

While he was able to play on either wing earlier in his career the majority of his outings last term came at right-back, with Mourinho obviously appreciating the defensive side of Young’s game as he enters the latter stages of his career.

It is his versatility that makes him such useful individual to have in and around the squad, and it could be needed again as United return to the group stages of the Champions League in the upcoming season.

Would United be right to keep him?

They probably would be, if the player is happy to stay.

The fact that he is 32 years of age with just a year remaining on his contract means that he would probably only fetch a cut-price fee from the likes of Stoke City, and it could be far more valuable for the Red Devils to have Young available to step in when required next term.

Of course that decision would depend on the winger being content, as he may want to go out and play more regular first team football – something he would be more likely to do at the Britannia Stadium.

What’s the verdict, then?

Well, Young has a decision to make but it would be no surprise to see him stay at United for one more season until the expiry of his contract.

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