Is the Villa winger destined for a starring role next season?
We’re heavily linked with Ashley Young of Villa. Forgive me for stating the obvious. But we are.
Every report for the last three weeks has told us that the deal to wrap him up is “just days away”, and blogs, tweets and fan forums , albeit quite calm at the moment while he’s getting hitched, have been getting quite excited at the prospect. But why? What do we know about Ashley Young?
Is he really the man who, could be, our marquee summer signing? I’ll be honest – I really don’t know much about him. I’ve seen Villa games on TV where he’s probably played, but in all honesty I couldn’t tell you if his name was on the team sheet or not. Not being negative about him at all, but I don’t recall watching a Villa match, and him being an outstanding player – wowing me senseless and getting me to think: “I wish he was at United”. Same as I wouldn’t know if Carlos Cuellar was playing in the same match.
So this gets me thinking about the current players we have at Old Trafford who plays in Young’s position. Nani, Giggs, Valencia, Park. Do I think he’s better than them? Well, Giggs is getting on…but is utilised in central midfield a lot. I want Nani in the team most weeks. Yes he can be a bit headless chicken sometimes, but we all know that he creates, he scores, he penetrates, and he’s our most flair player of the moment. Rumour has it he’s on his way…if he does go, whoever he signs for’s gain, and our loss. Tony V. Does this guy ever get anything wrong? Barely. He’s a fighter, as well as someone who beats the full back, crosses accurately, and you feel safe with him in the team. Park is a yappy little terrier who puts in the mileage, spots the passes and is quietly a key player. From my knowledge of these guys, including the potential new signing…I’d choose all four of them over Ashley Young.
So now I look at his other Villa team mates, and his England call ups over the last 12 months. Young and Downing are the Villa wingers. I don’t rate Downing, and think he’s probably punching above his weight at Villa anyway. But then I ask why has Downing been continuously called up for England, and had a lot of game time…and Young been left out, in the under 21s, or on the bench for England for the best part? So I look for the answer to the people who know him better than I do. The users on the Aston Villa fan forums. I wonder what they say about the want away winger? He doesn’t get the most positive reviews from some of the Villa faithful to be fair. I get the impression that on his day he can be electric, but more often than not he’s “erratic”, “hasn’t got any ideas” and they think that Villa should cash and invest the multimillions elsewhere in the squad before the real Ashley Young gets found out. None of this points at Young being the type of player we need to bolster a squad who are always competing for the title, and fight to the bitter end to get in to the Champions League final.
It seems a bit of a flat signing to me, hyped up in the media, and making reds as giddy as scousers over the return of King Kenny.
But then there’s this. The United factor. The ‘finishing school’ for those players who are about to become the next big thing, but need the coaching and the step up to top four and European level. And this is where United’s less than illustrious big money signings have then gone on to become Fergie’s shrewdest signing since the last one. So, Ashley Young…what to make of it?
Well, I would have hoped that our main signing this summer would have been an established player, with experience of winning medals on the big stage, and being able to bring the team on a bit. And that may still happen. But if Young is our biggest transfer of the summer, are we really kicking on from last term? I hope he develops over a season, and that United fans don’t get carried away with the way he is portrayed by the press and expect him to be an instant hit. Because Ashley Young isn’t a world beater.
Yet.
Villa fan – for a winger you have to look at the final ball. Ashley’s is hit and miss and struggles to beat last man . Over rated.
Ashley is set for D Day, he will either be your best british signing since Rooney or will bottle it.
He has the charisma and talent to become a star, but needs to perform top of his game every game to become a true premier great.
Crap at free kicks, fantastic crosser, good vision, like Beckham just that he can actually beat his man. Doesn’t score often enough though! Saying that season before last second on assists to Fabregas over the whole season so fair to say he does make up for it.
It’s the same shit every year. Big signings mentioned — none arrive. Glazers have pikeyed all the cash and we’re left rummaging in the bargain basement again. Sooner or later, probably sooner, the long slide south will start.
well the best player when it comes to englamd came on and turned the game around against the swiss… everyone still rates our endland set up(meant to spell it wrong by the way cause i beg to differ)if them losers can play regular and be regarded as class then he is world class on that basis
Bring young! Wrong comment by antagonise.
I really do not want Young because I think he is too inconsistent he tends to disappears from games and I think that the wingers that we have are better than Young
Guys…do you recalled when Fergie signed Carrick, and it was like no hype on the transfer? but the impact was Man Utd won back the premier league after losing it to Chelsea… more or less i believe Young will have the same impact.
Ag enough said ashley young will be perfect if we don’t get alex sanchez. We will pay £18mil for young give him a year or two big clubs will wanna buy him from us for about £30 plus…
For my money Ash Young offers three things United desperately need, he may not be the best in the world at any of them but he’s bloody good.
1. Set pieces. Since Ronaldo left we’ve not had a man who is a goal threat from a free kick, a reliable penalty taker (Rooney is decent without being brilliant) and a better than average corner taker.
2. He’s best on the left. Since Giggsy’s age has moved him into the middle we’ve had Rooney who’s best used elsewhere and Nani who’s much better on the right.
3. He’s a winger able to move centrally…….With that ability Rooney, Nani, Valencia and Young (even Chichrito at a stretch) can rotate positions during a match and cause all sorts of bother.
He’s not my first option but I’ll be very pleased to welcome him to United based on the above points….
Thanks for your comment Ollie.
I like your points there and really hope he gives us a lot of what you’ve pointed out!
Only one problem with this Young fellow: Where is he gonna play? I mean it looks strange not having a goalie and were out looking for a player we don’t even need.
Im just waiting for De Gea news….thats all