Everton veteran Young recalls leaving Villa for Man Utd

Everton veteran Ashley Young has admitted he was asked to stay at Aston Villa in 2011.

The winger left for Manchester United in 2011 when Sir Alex Ferguson was still in charge.

Young ended up winning the Premier League at United and other trophies as well.

Appearing as a guest on Sky Sports Monday Night Football, when his old side United lost 4-0 to Crystal Palace, Young stated: "I spoke to [chairman] Randy Lerner and he begged me to stay for my final season and said 'listen, if we don't do anything this season you have my blessing to go'.

"To be fair, he was exactly right with what he said and I had so much respect for him. He even called me to come over and sat down with me. We were not able to get Aston Villa to where we felt we could have gone, and then I was able to move from there.

"I heard of United's interest the season before I left Aston Villa."