Shirt Number: #18 | Date of Birth: 9 July 1985 | Place of Birth: Stevenage, England | Nationality: English
Player Position: Left-midfielder | 2014/2015: 29 apps, 2 goals
BACKGROUND
Young rose through the youth ranks at Watford and was handed his debut by Ray Lewington, scoring as a substitute against Millwall. The 2004/05 season saw Young rose to prominence as a key member of Watford’s squad. He then played an extremely prominent role in Watford’s promotion season of 2005/06. He had a great first half of the next campaign, eventually being signed by Aston Villa for £9.75 million in the January transfer window. After signing for Villa he continued his meteoric rise in reputation even gaining a place in the Premier League Team of the Season. He soon furthered his reputation as the brightest English prospect in the Premier League by becoming the first player to win 3 Player of the Month awards in the same league campaign. He was then named vice-captain of the Birmingham club for the 2010/11 season, and after yet another solid campaign for the Villains he was signed by Manchester United for an undisclosed fee, reported to be between £15-20 million in June 2011.
STRENGTHS
Young, under Louis van Gaal, has become known to be extremely advanced in his flexibility in terms of playing position after increasingly being used as a left wing back during the early parts of the 2014/15 season. Not once did he look vulnerable or uncomfortable in his new position, he even began to establish himself as renowned tackler. However, throughout his whole career he has shown himself to be an accomplished crosser. Even though he only registered six assists this season, that may have more to do with the lack of a world-class striker.
WEAKNESSES
While Young may not have any absolute stand-out weaknesses, his biggest weakness is in fact his weakness. Unfortunately he has gained a reputation for diving, simulation in refereeing speak. Although I would always try to defend a Red Devil his diving habit has to be driven out of him as it unfortunately tarnishes not only his reputation but also casts a shadow against the high reputation of United.
EXPECTATIONS
The expectation for Young next season is a simple one: continue to improve. He has shown how key he can be in van Gaal’s new philosophy and United fans will be hoping he can propel the Manchester club up the Premier League table while also holding his own position in the team with Angel Di Maria and Memphis Depay both needing to be fitted into the new look United attack.
