ASHLEY YOUNG'S INCREDIBLE MAN UTD REVIVAL

As 2017 began, Ashley Young was firmly on the outside looking in at Manchester United. Enduring a spell of only two first-team appearances in 18 games, the former England winger had become the subject of increasing transfer speculation that even resulted in his manager making a public appeal for him to stay.
“The only player that I am waiting for a decision on is Ashley Young,” said Jose Mourinho in January. “He is a player I would love to keep. I am not happy at all if he leaves, but he’s the only player that I was informed there is a possibility of him leaving.”

“At the minute I’ve been playing games and that’s what my sole focus is on, concentrating on playing well for the team and doing as well as I can,” he explained. “If anything’s to come about then the club will sit down and talk to me, but like I say my sole focus is playing games week-in, week-out and playing well for the team.”

Both are in Lisbon for Wednesday night’s game, but there is clearly a greater spring in Young’s step than Shaw’s right now, and that is testament to the way the ex-Aston Villa man has stood up to the challenge of forcing his way back into Mourinho’s plans.

And as for that ‘former England winger’ tag… The man himself says he’s more than ready to add to his 30 caps if Gareth Southgate decides to end his four-year hiatus from the international stage.
“I think until I retire I will always have the desire to represent my country. I’ve always said that whenever you pull on that England shirt it’s an honour and if the manager calls upon me I’ll be delighted.”
Who would have thought it back in January? Ashley Young, Manchester United regular, part-time captain and England hopeful. It’s been one hell of a 2017 for Old Trafford’s renaissance man.