Craig Burley says the matches preceding the Manchester Derby are key for Man United if they want to challenge City for the title.
Manchester United have taken up an option to extend Ashley Young's contract for a further year, sources close to the player have told ESPN FC.
Young is one of a number of players at Old Trafford whose contracts are up next summer -- including Marouane Fellaini, Michael Carrick, Juan Mata, Ander Herrera, Luke Shaw and Daley Blind -- but United hold an option to extend them. And sources say the club have now taken up the option in Young's contract to keep him at Old Trafford until 2019.
The 32-year-old was linked with a move away from United last season, but he has gone on to establish himself as a key player in Jose Mourinho's plans and has held down a spot in the starting XI at left-back ahead of the likes of Shaw, Blind and Matteo Darmian.
His fine form for United this season also earned him a recall to the England squad for the first time in five years, for the recent friendlies with Germany and Brazil, and he won his 31st cap off the bench in the draw with Brazil.
Young joined United from Aston Villa in 2011 and has made over 150 appearances for the club.
Peter O'Rourke is ESPN FC's transfer news correspondent. Follow him on Twitter @SportsPeteO.
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Source: espn.co.uk