Young close to United deal for estimated £15million

THE new era at Old Trafford stepped up a gear last night with Ashley Young set to become Manchester United’s second summer signing after undergoing a medical with the Premier League champions last night.

The England international was in Manchester yesterday to undergo a series of physical examinations prior to completing his transfer to Old Trafford for a reported £15million.

The 25-year-old Young has just a year left on his contract at Villa Park and made it clear to the club he had no intention of extending that deal.

New Villa manager Alex McLeish admitted earlier this week Young was destined to depart this summer.

“It’s not confirmed yet but it does seem likely,” the Scot admitted.

The England international is expected to sign a five-year contract at Old Trafford, taking his wages to around £120,000-a-week (€135,000) — roughly double what he earns at Villa Park. Young is expected to have his move confirmed officially in the coming days. United have already secured the services of Blackburn’s England U21 defender Phil Jones for £16.5m and are likely to strengthen further with Atletico Madrid goalkeeper David de Gea the likely replacement for the retired Edwin van der Sar. Young, like Jones, was also a target for Liverpool but United boss Alex Ferguson appears to have once again beaten Kenny Dalglish to the player’s signature.

Meanwhile Sunderland boss Steve Bruce pulled off a double transfer swoop by landing free signings Sebastian Larsson and Keiren Westwood.

Larsson and Westwood will officially become Sunderland players on July 1.

There were suggestions that the Black Cats could face late competition for Larsson from Aston Villa but they moved swiftly to get their man yesterday.

The Black Cats will now concentrate on their remaining targets, with efforts to recruit South Korea striker Ji Dong-won ongoing despite his club Chunnam Dragons confirming his imminent departure.

The striking department will be Bruce’s main priority for the summer after he finished last season with Asamoah Gyan as his only fit frontman.

Loan signing Danny Welbeck has returned to Manchester United and hopes to have a role to play at Old Trafford next season, while Fraizer Campbell will be sidelined by a knee injury for much of the new campaign.

Sunderland have now firmed up their interest in Ipswich’s Connor Wickham with a bid, although the 18-year-old has many admirers and there is sure to be a battle for his signature if the Suffolk club decide to sell.

In addition, they are pursuing their interest in United trio Darron Gibson, Wes Brown and John O’Shea, who were the subject of a joint £12m-plus bid earlier this month.