Ashley Young is all smiles in training.

Young has twin ambitions this week

Monday 14 May 2018 18:56

Ashley Young is looking to finish a fine personal campaign on a real high with two main aims on the horizon.

The left-back is targeting a place in England's squad for the World Cup, which is due to be named on Wednesday, and a starting spot in Jose Mourinho's line-up for the Emirates FA Cup final against Chelsea on Saturday.

Young has never played at the World Cup finals after missing out on a place in Fabio Capello's 2010 selection but a recent international recall by current coach Gareth Southgate has given him a real chance of making the plane to Russia.

With club matters still very much at the forefront of his mind, though, the 32-year-old is looking forward to hopefully ending the domestic season with another piece of silverware at Wembley.

Ashley Young says

"I've got a good footballing brain. I know where to be on the pitch and when to attack and when to defend."

"It's been a massive boost for me, playing week in and week out," he told MUTV. "I'm playing in a new position and feel like I can adapt. I've got a good footballing brain. I know where to be on the pitch and when to attack and when to defend.

"I've enjoyed the season and it's gone even better than I had thought as I've got myself back in the England squad. Fingers crossed for when the squad is announced, hopefully that would be an achievement in itself.

"If we win at the weekend, and finishing second, it will be a very good campaign but, if you ask all the players and staff, winning the league is where we need to be at. I think that's the disappointment but, overall, I think it's been a good season and, if we win the FA Cup, it's been a very good season.

Ashley Young has been influential during the FA Cup run.

"Of course there's excitement [for the final]. There is not anyone who is not excited. We've been there before and must prepare this week in the right way, which we will do. Everybody is wanting to be starting, wanting to play, and I'm no different.

"I want to play in the FA Cup final and obviously want success. There is no better feeling than when you win the FA Cup and walk up those stairs to pick up that trophy. Hopefully, we can do that."

Ashley Young came on as a substitute for Marcus Rashford in the 2016 FA Cup final.