Chelsea's chances of landing Ashley Young have taken a body-blow, as Goal.com can exclusively reveal the Aston Villa star would prefer a move to their title rivals and reigning champions, Manchester United.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson claimed that with the signings of Luis Antonio Valencia, Michael Owen and Gabriel Obertan that his summer shopping was at an end due to the inflated value of many other players within the transfer market.

However, chief executive David Gill was quoted to the contrary, saying he expects further transfer activity while the Red Devils tour the Far East. Young's future has been subject to speculation since Aston Villa stepped up their chase to land Stewart Downing, who is expected to sign from relegated Middlesbrough by the end of the week.

That speculation suggested that the Downing signing was mooted by Villa manager Martin O'Neill as a contingency plan so that if one of the big clubs made a move for Young, the Midlanders could afford to sell.

A reported £25 million price tag was put on the winger when Chelsea made an enquiry, driven as they are by new coach Carlo Ancelotti's desire to restrengthen, as well as John Terry's alleged behind the scenes battle-cry for big-name signings, after the club's failure to capture the likes of Kaka and David Villa.

However, if United were to enter into negotiations for the 24-year-old, Goal.com can confirm that the player would prefer a move to Old Trafford.
Nevertheless, Martin O'Neill's stance on Young's future remains one of resilience, and the Villa boss will fight to keep the No. 7, whom he signed from Watford in January 2007, for £8m (rising to £9.75m).