Mourinho: Why I'm counting on Young next season
Jose Mourinho feels Ashley Young has improved significantly at full-back in the last two seasons and will be a key member of his Manchester United squad once again next term.
The versatile Englishman could make his 200th appearance for the club in all competitions, since arriving at Old Trafford in 2011, when the Reds make the trip to the London Stadium to face West Ham United on Thursday.
Operating mainly at left-back, Young has been an integral figure this term. He has played 36 times so far, scoring twice – against his former club Watford in November – and registering seven assists.
Operating mainly at left-back, Young has been an integral figure this term. He has played 36 times so far, scoring twice – against his former club Watford in November – and registering seven assists.
Speaking to MUTV’s Stewart Gardner ahead of the game, Mourinho praised the former Aston Villa man, who turns 33 in July, for overcoming a series of injury setbacks and taking his game to another level since the boss took charge in the summer of 2016.
“When I arrived, he was playing a few matches per season,” said Jose. “For the last couple of seasons, lots of injuries, lots of doubts, lots of question marks about his future at the highest level."
Team news for United's London trip
ArticleJose Mourinho gives us an update on his squad for Thursday's Premier League match at West Ham.
The boss went on: “In two years, even with the important injury he had at the end of last season, we managed to have him for lots of matches, being important, probably going to the World Cup [with Gareth Southgate's England].
“I think he’s better now than he was two years ago. That’s the way I see things and, next year again, he will be an important member of our squad. If he’s now on 200, I hope, next season, he goes into the 250s.”
MUTV's build-up to West Ham v United begins at 17:45 BST on Thursday.
“I think he’s better now than he was two years ago. That’s the way I see things and, next year again, he will be an important member of our squad. If he’s now on 200, I hope, next season, he goes into the 250s.”
MUTV's build-up to West Ham v United begins at 17:45 BST on Thursday.
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