Manchester United: Louis van Gaal ready to reward Ashley Young with a new three-year contract

Manchester United winger Ashley Young is reportedly close to signing a new three-year deal that will see him remain at Old Trafford until the summer of 2018.

According to the Daily Mail, the English winger impressed Louis van Gaal with his versatility and willingness to contribute to the team and will be handed the new deal at the end of the current campaign.

Young, who will enter the final-year of his contract at the end of the current campaign has breathed new life into his game under the Dutchman after his career at United looked to be in doubt at the start of the season, due to the arrivals of Angel Di Maria and the presence of Adnan Januzaj in the squad.

But the England international, adapted better than the above mentioned duo to Van Gaal's style and was the preferred choice on the wings for the manager. He has even managed to keep the British-record signing Argentinean on the bench in recent weeks.

The former Bayern Munich manager also praised the former Aston Villa star and labelled him the perfect player to play for him.

The United winger, who has been utilised by the manager in various positions, is currently on a £120,000 ($181,000) a week wages at Old Trafford and the report claims that the player's new contract will be on similar terms. But earlier in the season there were reports suggesting that the winger was willing to take a pay cut to remain at United, and is keen on seeing himself end his career at the club.

It is also believed that Young still harbours hope of earning a recall to Roy Hodgson's England team ahead of the 2016 European Championship, and expects his performances for the club to help him achieve it.