Interest from China has already reportedly unsettled Chelsea’s Diego Costa, who was dropped by manager Antonio Conte this weekend as a consequence, despite being firmly established as the English Premier League’s leading scorer this season.

While a number of high-profile players have made the move to China, as of yet, no big-name English player has gone to play in Asia. That could be about to change as Ashley Young is the latest player to be linked with the Chinese Super League.

The Sun seem to think that Young is wanted by Shandong Luneng, who would obviously be willing to pay the player big money and also allow him the chance to start every week. It is believed Mourinho is also ready to let go the United Veteran.

One thing that Young might think of when it comes to a move – to China or anywhere else – is the fact that he is not playing under Jose Mourinho, who seems to have found a settled back four, and does not look like changing that anytime soon – even in the cup competitions.

United may also see it as a chance to cash in on Young – and bank more money from the player than the might have expected, to reinvest in the summer on another huge spending spree.

Young, 31, began his professional career at Watford, before a transfer to Aston Villa in January 2007. He spent four and a half years at Villa Park before a move to Old Trafford in the summer of 2011, signed by Sir Alex Ferguson.

West Brom, Crystal Palace, Burnley and Young’s former club Watford are all believed to have made contact with United over a loan deal until the end of the season, should he want to prolong his Premier League stay with regular first-team football.

Antoine Griezmann has been heavily linked with a blockbuster move, and now Mourinho reportedly wants Nemanja Matic to add to his midfield after the £24 million move Morgan Schneiderlin made to Everton.