For a publication that has moaned about the foibles of Ashley Young for years, even we softened our stance after his recent revitalisation under Louis van Gaal.
It’s not that the Manchester United manager has changed Young’s game massively. But he has found the perfect position for a player who doesn’t have the guile to be a top winger in the highest echelons of the sport, but does have great virtues such as athleticism and adaptability.
Young has been one of Manchester United’s better performers of late with some tireless displays and improved crossing from the flank. So it’s a massive blow for him that Louis van Gaal stated after the Stoke game that Young would be out for ‘many weeks’
It did look like a bad one. Young pulled up when chasing down the ball and his movement was extremly inhibited as he hobbled off the pitch. A hamstring tear may be confirmed after scans.
So it’s really bad luck for a player in his best form yet for Manchester United. The blow will be offset to s degree by the fact that United now have Luke Shaw and Rafael back after injury.
