With over £100m spent in the summer transfer window, Jose Mourinho was expected to give Manchester United some immediate success which has eluded them for more than a couple of years now. The 3-1 victory at the Liberty Stadium at the weekend was just their 5th victory in the Premier League this season and leaves them reeling the 6th place, 8 points off the top of the table. The squad at the Old Trafford is one of the strongest, with atleast a couple of players fighting for almost every place in the starting XI. This has seen the manager fail to settle into a starting lineup for more games. His side against Swansea recently looked a more balanced one and one player who started the game and deserves a chance to keep his place is English international Ashley Young.
A utility player in every sense of the word, Young is a winger by trait and is one of the best crossers in the squad at the Old Trafford. He has been at the club since 2011 and has been an important player at both ends of the field in his time in Manchester. He has 7 appearances to his name in all competitions this season and was one of the most impressive players in United’s dull draw at Anfield earlier last month. He was a part of the team that beat Swansea City, and played as a right-back, putting in an impressive performance and helping the side to all three points.
He was named in the Team of the Week for Match day 11 – by who scored – meaning that he was the best right-back in the league at the weekend. Not the first choice at the club, Young came into the game as a replacement for the injured Antonio Valencia who has been decent at the back this season.
Premier League Team of the Week – Gameweek 11 https://t.co/BIw8fiiPO3 pic.twitter.com/GrLBBEjifB
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) November 7, 2016
Young is a dynamic player who can add enough potency to the attack but is also equally adept at the back, plying on the wing providing width in the attack when needed. As a full-back, he uses his pace and understanding of the game to keep the opponents away from danger. He is disciplined, strong and patient and will stick to his task throughout the game making him a strong defender. He has also played in an advanced role as a winger where he can use his pace and trickery to get beyond the defense with ease.
Antonio Valencia has been decent at the back for the Red Devils this season but Ashley Young is a player who will improve the balance in the squad and will give Mourinho an option at both ends of the field – as he his equally affective in the left spot as well. Mourinho has just not been able to trust a staring XI this season, and with persistent injury issues; it is clear that the manager will need some normalcy at the club. Young is someone who will provide that and some consistency to make Manchester United a more potent side this season.
Do you think Mourinho should use Young more often this season?