AUTHOR: – Doron
United’s second foray into the transfer market this summer has seen versatile midfielder/winger/forward, Ashley Young join from Aston Villa for an undisclosed fee believed to be around £15m.
Young, turns 26 this summer has been linked with a move to United for the past few months. Liverpool are said to have been interested too but it seems Young wanted to play Champions League football as he moves towards the peak years of his career.
It’s three and a half years since Young made his England debut and he’s gone on to play 15 times for his country, scoring two goals. Most recently he came on at half time to change England’s fortune against Switzerland. Despite being predominantly right footed, Young is able to play on either wing and has built a reputation as a great crosser and set piece taker. His versatility will no doubt be an attraction too – he’s able to play as a central midfielder and as a second striker as well. He would provide good competition for the current set of wingers, maybe not a priority, but something that is probably needed.
Young was born in Stevenage and was at Watford as a youth player. Aged 18 he was given his debut in their first team and impressed early on, scoring three goals in his first six league games. The 2005/06 was his big breakthrough year as he scored 15 in 43 for Watford as well as laying on 13 assists. In the January of 2007 he moved to Aston Villa for a total fee of just under £10m. He’s continued to impress in a series of different roles at Villa, he’s scored 37 goals in 188 games and assisted a further 57 goals. So far in his short career he averages a contribution (goal or assist) every 2.25 games – an incredibly impressive return. Here’s hoping he can step up to the next level.
Young has signed a 5 year deal and told MUTV:
“To get the opportunity to come and play for one of the biggest clubs in the world is one I couldn’t turn down. I’ll get to play with such great players who play for the club and hopefully become part of the club’s history in winning the 20th title. It’s a prospect I’ve always looked at as a child, to play for one of the biggest clubs in the world, and I’ve got that opportunity now so I’ve just got to take it with two hands.”
The full interview will be shown at 6.30pm BST on MUTV.
We’ve had our own say on why this deal may make sense for United, you can read that by clicking here.
You can discuss the Ashley Young signing in our forum.
AUTHOR: – Doron
“maybe not a priority”
That’s the only thing that worries me a bit. There’s still a huge gaping hole in the middle of the field that has yet to be addressed, yet we have another defenseman and winger that are pretty much surplus at this point.
I am not completely sold on this signing; Young could easily end up as a second tier starter. However I think he could also play a huge assistance role to Chicharito and Rooney while scoring a few for himself.
Chillmike – “huge gaping hole in the middle of the field”.
Why is that ?
For the last three/four years fans have been clamouring for a new, “creative” midfielder but SAF has signed defenders and wingers and everything else.
TheOldFootieKnight ain’t blind – he must have something in mind.
Either a 4-1-4-1 system or WayneBoy as the ScholesReplacement – how else can this lack of transfer activity be explained ?