Ashley Young - first impressions

**S.E.Arising** · 14-07-2011, 00:43

Thread to discuss first impressions, form etc.

**S.E.Arising** · 14-07-2011, 09:07

Full article: Football | Barclays Premier League | Fergie impressed by Young debut | ESPNSTAR.com

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson says he was "very satisfied" with Ashley Young's first appearance for the club.

"[Right wing] was his position with Aston Villa until last season when they started playing him in behind the strikers - Gabriel Agbonlahor or Darren Bent - in a more advanced role, like the way we use Wayne Rooney," Ferguson told the club's official website.

"His capabilities are such that he can play wide left, he can play in behind the strikers and he can play wide right.

"He showed tonight he's a fantastic crosser of the ball. I think he hit three fantastic crosses in the game, which maybe isn't something we're used to with the way we play. But if we do get used to it then there's goals there. I was very satisfied."

**Scholesy18** · 14-07-2011, 12:42

Think the most glaring thing is his tendency to want to come onto his right - it's something that he did almost every time he had the ball. Ironically his best cross of the match came with his left foot which Macheda headed over.

But in saying that, very few of his crosses were blocked or failed to find the central area - so despite the fact that he might appear predictable, he looks really tough to stop.

Really excited to see him improve and progress here.

**JSNFRMN_MUFC** · 14-07-2011, 14:09

Quick feet, 2 footed, would have liked to have seen him go on his left more though as he has got a good left foot which he showed a few times. Corners were great, got the ball in the right area everytime.

I just thought it was nice to see more of an attacking threat down the left, last season was terrible down the left, I think this affected Evra too, I think Evra will love having Young with him down the left.

**Geoff** · 14-07-2011, 21:27

He worries defenders when he's on the ball, you can see it.

Always a good thing.

**se7en** · 07-08-2011, 17:33

Great freekick for the 1st goal combines well with Evra.

**JSNFRMN_MUFC** · 07-08-2011, 17:37

Also very good performance. Set pieces improved with him arriving, I think Nani's improved too.

**Geoff** · 07-08-2011, 17:42

Young to me looks like he's been playing for us for years!

**JSNFRMN_MUFC** · 07-08-2011, 17:51

I loved the way our front 4/6 were interchanging throughout the game, love that. Very fluid. Very sexy football. Football taught by Matt Busby.

**metatron06** · 08-08-2011, 02:04

Had a quiet first half when he looked a bit overawed (it also has something to do with his face: he kinda looks unsure of himself), but grew into it in the second half. A good addition to the first team, though not necessarily ahead of Valencia and Park yet and definitely not Nani.

**Scholesy18** · 08-08-2011, 02:29

Originally Posted by Geoff

Young to me looks like he's been playing for us for years!

Doesn't it? Looks like that to me as well.He has settled in very comfortably.His set-pieces were good.the one he set-up Smalling was pinpoint precision.It's finally good to have someone do that job for you and also let Nani focus more on other aspects of his game!

**se7en** · 14-08-2011, 10:35

Why Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has bought £18m Ashley Young | Mail Online

**S.E.Arising** · 14-08-2011, 10:51

What do we think of the team line-ups in the above image?

**JSNFRMN_MUFC** · 14-08-2011, 12:52

The first one is pretty much last week's lineup with a few changes. The 2nd... he's not a central midfielder for one, he played in the same role Rooney played in last season. The 3rd one has Young probbably in his best position but Fletcher on the right... he can play there but he won't play there unless there's injuries. The 4th one has Sneijder and i'm not sure i'd include Park on the right in my dream team, no offence to him.

So basically... Daily Fail.

**IrishManc.** · 14-08-2011, 18:31

Fantastic performance today. Was our biggest threat by far

**Sideshow Bob** · 14-08-2011, 18:41

He was our biggest and deservedly won man of the match. His crossing when he cut inside was hit and miss in my eyes.

**Geoff** · 14-08-2011, 18:46

Originally Posted by IrishManc.

Fantastic performance today. Was our biggest threat by far

I agree.

Young was very impressive, he worries defenders you can see it every time he's on the ball.

**se7en** · 14-08-2011, 18:54

Great link up with Rooney. His predictability cutting inside all the time made the space for the last goal as he did the opposite to what he did all match.

**SDLRob** · 14-08-2011, 19:09

he was a fully deserving Man of the Match today.....

**Red Phil** · 14-08-2011, 19:11

A very good league debut for Young, very direct and looked to get forward at every opportunity. He's going to be a huge success in my opinion.

**Berba_God** · 14-08-2011, 19:13

Young has settled well in the team and he looks really happy to be part of a team that it is challenging for trophies

**JSNFRMN_MUFC** · 14-08-2011, 19:15

A lot were sceptical, i'm glad I wasn't one. Not sure if assists count for own goals but if they do that's 3 for him already, he's made a very bright start. Long may it continue. Loving the fact we've got more of an attacking outlet on the left aswell as the right this season.

**Geoff** · 14-08-2011, 20:56

I mean for me Young was always a good player at Villa.

I think a couple of us said it in different threads here on the forum, he's only going to improve playing with better players and he's shown evidence of it already. It's a no brainer really.