Former Manchester United ace Ashley Young is extending his playing career after joining forces with a former Old Trafford coach.
Manchester United fans would have been forgiven for believing that Ashley Young was entering the final stages of his career upon leaving Old Trafford in 2020.
Snapped up from Aston Villa in 2011, Young became a key player under Sir Alex Ferguson and helped win the Premier League title in 2013.
Young reinvented himself as his United career wore on, becoming a full-back or wing-back into his 30s.
Young said goodbye to United in January 2020, signing for Italian side Inter after more than 250 appearances for the Red Devils.
The former England star returned to England with Aston Villa and Everton, but will not be hanging up his boots after turning 40 earlier this month.
Photo by Visionhaus/Getty ImagesAshley Young joins Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich Town
Young made 32 Premier League appearances last season and is far from done yet.
Championship side Ipswich Town have now pounced to sign Young following their relegation from the Premier League.
The move will take Young towards his 41st birthday, with the former United star still going strong.
Tractor Boys boss Kieran McKenna coached at United during Young’s time with the club and the pair have now reunited.
Speaking on Ipswich’s official website, McKenna praised Young for a ‘fantastic’ career and believes the veteran defender is still playing at a high level.
McKenna added that Young’s leadership will be a fine asset for Ipswich this season, branding him a ‘very strong signing’ for Ipswich.
“Ashley has had a fantastic career and his achievements speak for themselves,” said McKenna.
“He has maintained an extremely high level of professionalism and competitiveness through his career and he is still playing at a very good level. We feel his leadership and experience will be valuable to the group this season and he is very hungry to contribute on and off the pitch.
“It’s a very strong signing for the group and the club,” he added.
Ashley Young the latest former Manchester United man to join Ipswich Town
Young’s move means that he has become the latest former United player to reunite with McKenna at Ipswich.
Brandon Williams joined Ipswich under McKenna, attempting to get his career back on track after fizzling out at United.
Williams played 17 times as Ipswich won promotion from the Championship in 2024, but hasn’t played a single game of football since.
Alongside Williams, Ipswich snapped up Axel Tuanzebe as the defender departed United at the end of his contract.
Tuanzebe made 45 appearances for the Tractor Boys before leaving the club at the end of last season.
Burnley have now signed Tuanzebe, but McKenna has shown a consistent desire to work with players he coached at United.
Young is the latest, and United fans will be watching his progress from afar as Ipswich chase an immediate return to the Premier League.