Talk SPORT pundit Danny Murphy has urged Manchester United to find a long-term replacement for Ashley Young in their ranks. The England international has been the undisputed choice on the right side of the defence this term but Murphy believes the club should move forward with the versatile player approaching the final stages of his professional career.

Speaking on TalkSPORT, Murphy said that there is a gaping hole at Old Trafford with the ageing Young and the club should consider a move for Crystal Palace’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka, he said: “I do think this lad’s that special. I think right now we are blessed in that area. This Wan-Bissaka, unfortunately for Palace fans, maybe they’ll keep him another year, it won’t do him any harm at all playing more games and getting more experience. There’s a gaping hole at Man Utd for a right-back. Ashley Young’s done brilliantly, but he’s 34.”

United have largely dependent on Young for the right-back duties this term but occasionally, chances have been offered to Diogo Dalot, who has managed to make the most of the opportunities. As such, the hierarchy are likely to go with Dalot for the right-back role in the future, though the club would want competition with Young probably parting ways at the conclusion of the 2019/20 campaign.

Elsewhere, United have Matteo Darmian, who can assume the right-back position but the Italian’s future seems bleak amid the struggle for gametime. The former Torino man has been regularly linked with a potential return to the Serie A and that could happen during the summer with Juventus, Napoli, and Inter Milan among those expressing an interest.

Darmian had been keen on leaving the Red Devils during the previous summer transfer window, but the move was blocked by then manager Jose Mourinho, who had been dealing with the unavailability of Ashley Young and Diogo Dalot. Young was absent for the season opener after the World Cup exploits with England while Dalot had been recovering from a knee operation.