The former Villa winger went some way to silencing the critics
United’s 2-0 win over West Bromwich Albion at Old Trafford, to keep the Reds seven points clear at the top of the table was hardly a game that will be looked back with reverence over the next few years.
The term ‘professional’ is arguably the best way to describe a win that while on paper seemed fairly routine, gave United fans enough moments of frustration to at least make it ‘interesting’ for much of the game.
Gareth McAuley’s early own goal didn’t fully settle the Old Trafford nerves as any United knows only too well that one goal is rarely enough to guarantee victory for the Reds these days.
While it was by no means a vintage performance there was a lot to praise about United’s display as Shinji Kagawa, Michael Carrick and Nemanja Vidic all did well, Robin Van Persie scored yet another goal, while a clean sheet does the defence and David De Gea no harm at all.
One player who stood out as causing the West Brom defence problems for pretty much all of the game was a man who’s had more than his fair share of critics, a winger who has yet to fully win over many fans.
Ashley Young was a thorn in Baggies side more or less all afternoon, providing the cross for McAuley’s own goal testing Ben Foster with a well hit first time effort and giving Billy Jones a game he will won’t to forget quickly.
It would be foolish to claim Young shone brightly for the entire 90 minutes, as he did drift in and out of the game at times, but he was always willing to attack the West Brom defence, and link up with those around him.
Young’s detractors will no doubt claim he hasn’t done enough to prove his worth yet, but with more games like today under his belt the former Villa man may just turn the tide of opinion in his favour and make his United career a trophy laden one.
Young’s form is better. But Man of the Match for me is super RVP. His strike for our second goal is a killer for WBA really. Otherwise, who know what will happen in the final minutes.
Valencia is poor really. He just doesn’t know how to beat or get pass defenders. He has no dribbling skill and look like no confidence to beat anty opponents. Kagawa is another over-rated player. The Japanese has no confidence to get the team going forward. He produce absalutely nothing effective in yesterday match really.
Another glimpse of the pampered world of MUFC followers……..
The dunce, Young, cost more than the entire WBA team.
Do you really think that was a good performance???
RVP showed a rare talent when he appeared.
AY is a diving cheat, who is lucky to get into the 1st team squad.
Young played well but he can still do better. I don’t think he has shown the form he had at Aston Villa yet. The lad has had injuries and needs a real run in the team. I think he needs to still add more goals and assist to his game.
If he plays a key role in helping Man Utd win the title then the fans will love him. Its the same with any player really, but in Young and Valencia, I think we should be getting more out of them both.
Grassy Knoll,
What’s your problem? I am still amused at the schizophrenia the reds demonstrate. Utter outrage when teams use wealth to surge to the Premiership heights and hypocrisy when shelving the cash to buy Arsenals best? So- get over AY’s diving; Fergie’s fear that RVP might die if a ball hits his head and simply focus on a club half a billion in debt, run by a septagenarean and so neurotic it sees it’s own end in sight, the semi finals in 2011 and championship in 2012 is only the beginning. Hoorah
^ hater
Young hasn’t hit the heights he can but he did well to make the first goal, albeit an own goal. I think Ferguson sent out a strong message when he praised Nani in the press and made it clear he was in his plans. Nani started the season badly, but maybe if his head is right he will have a strong finish to the season and help us win the title.
Nani is still the most unpredictable winger we have and I still hope he can find a home at Old Trafford again. I don’t know what happened but his contact talks have affected him sadly and his early season form. It all seem to spiral with poor performances and then giving the ball away in the last minuet against Chelsea, in the Carling Cup, causing us to concede a penalty.
I think the break he has had through injury might be the best thing to happen. It looked like he wanted to get away sadly and maybe the break will be a god thing. Ferguson said they sent him to Dubai to help with the injury, which is a good sign. It will take some convincing on both sides to continue the relationship and for Nani to sign a new contract with us. If that is not possible, then hopefully he is determined to help us win the title again before departing in the summer.