By Mark Lawrenson
I said before Ashley Young signed for Manchester United
that I wasn’t sure
if he was ready and now it’s up to him to
show that he is.
He needs to improve an extra 15 or 20 per cent to be able to
hold his own in the sort of quality company he will be keeping.
If he can do that, then he will become a top player.
Speaking from experience, when you go to a top team with top
players, it kicks you on. The standard is that much higher and you
have to raise your game to reach it.
That’s the challenge facing Young now to show he can raise his
game to Manchester United’s high standard.
There can be no excuses from him. He plays for England, he knows
what it’s all about and he’s gone to the right club.
Manchester United’s whole philosophy is built on playing
attacking football and he will see more of the ball than he did at
Villa.
That’s the only ‘if’ for me from his move and overall I think
it’s a good bit of business for Manchester United.
You look at the sort of money being quoted for the likes of
Neymar and Sanchez and it’s crazy.
They’re unproven in the Premier League, can’t speak the language
and wouldn’t be used to the pace or physicality of the English
game.
Young has none of those negative points against him and
Manchester United are picking him up for just £16million at the age
of 25.
He did well at Watford, improved at Aston Villa and now
Manchester United are going to get the best of him.
He has a good assists record, can play on either flank and he
has also shown for England that he can come inside and play off the
striker.
He will be under less pressure at Manchester United, whereas at
Villa he was the main man and their best player.
He was the one under pressure to provide that creative spark and
set up Darren Bent.
At Manchester United the opposition will also have to worry
about the likes of Hernandez, Rooney and Nani and he can operate
under the radar a little bit.
He won’t be under pressure to be their match winner every week
like maybe he was at Villa.
Manchester United did well when they picked up Phil Jones for
around £16million and signing Young for the same money is another
bit of good business.