Aston Villa’s caretaker manager Gary McAllister has insisted that the side will be trying to keep Ashley Young next season, despite interest from Liverpool and Manchester United.
Young came off the ground yesterday in Villa’s last game of the season waving to the crowd in what appeared to be a farewell gesture, though McAllister says it was nothing to do with the England international’s future.
"I think people thought that was staged but his calf was screaming,” the Villa manager said.
"He wasn't coming off waving goodbye because we want to keep him.”
Liverpool has long been connected with Young, with Kenny Dalglish seeing the 25-year-old as a good addition to the Anfield club’s midfield.
Manchester United have also shown interest in the star, though Liverpool are favourites to snare Young as United reportedly look for younger signings to decrease the average age of their squad.
But McAllister is insistent that Villa still have a chance of keeping Young, as they hope to improve the quality of their squad and look to challenge for European football.
"We have to keep trying and a couple of signings here or there might help,” McAllister said.
"I am sure there is interest because there has been a lot of speculation around Ashley for a long time now.”
In a hint that Liverpool could get their man if they come up with the right price, McAllister said that if he had to let Young go, he would do so for a bid that fitted the star.
"Until such a time that someone comes in with a bid which is acceptable to Aston Villa then he is still a Villa player because he has a year left on his contract,” the caretaking manager said.
"But there is no way of me predicting how clubs will do their business.”
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