Ashley Young, the former Manchester United star and Premier League legend, has announced that he will retire from professional football after the final game of the Championship season. It's the end of an era for one of the game's most durable and hard-working players.
Young's current team, Ipswich Town—managed by former Manchester United coach Kieran McKenna—are on the verge of securing a return to the Premier League. A victory against Queens Park Rangers on Saturday would seal promotion, providing a jubilant and fitting send-off for the former Manchester United captain.
Young's remarkable journey began when he won the PFA Young Player of the Year award in 2009, catching the eye of Sir Alex Ferguson. The legendary manager brought him to Old Trafford in a £17 million deal, where Young would go on to make 261 appearances over eight-and-a-half years, eventually earning the captain's armband. During his time at Manchester United, he lifted five major trophies, including the Premier League title in 2013 and the Europa League in 2017.
After leaving United, Young proved his versatility and longevity, turning out for Inter Milan, Aston Villa, Everton, and now Ipswich. His career spanned 22 years, including 39 caps for England, making his decision to call time a poignant moment in football.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, Young reflected on his journey: "From Sefton Road to Vicarage Road to Villa Park to Wembley to Old Trafford to San Siro back to Villa Park to Goodison Park and finally to Portman Road. It's been some journey that I only dreamt of as a boy! But with this dream there has to be an ending and Saturday might be the last game of my professional career. To be continued…."
Tributes quickly poured in. Former Manchester United teammate David De Gea simply commented, "What a career." The official England account also honored his impact, writing, "Congratulations on a fantastic career!"
As Young prepares for his final match, fans and teammates alike are hoping he can help Ipswich secure promotion—a perfect end to a legendary career.