Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
CHELSEA v MANCHESTER UTD
ASHLEY YOUNG says Manchester United must lift the FA Cup on Saturday if they are to class this season as a success.
Jose Mourinho’s side finished second but a distant 19 points behind Premier League champions Manchester City and were never in serious contention for the title once Pep Guardiola’s side pulled away. But Young said beating Chelsea at Wembley would ensure
Mourinho’s players end the season on a high and enable them to be satisfied with the campaign, despite coming up short in the title race.
“If we win at the weekend, and finishing second, it will be a very good campaign,” said Young (right, halting Liverpool’s Mo Salah).
“But, if you ask all the players and staff, winning the league is where we need to be at.
“That’s the disappointment but, overall, it’s been a good season and, if we win the FA Cup, it’s been very good. Of course there’s excitement for the final. There’s not anyone who’s not excited.
“We must prepare this week in the right way, which we will do.
“Everybody is wanting to be starting, wanting to play, and I want to play in the FA Cup Final and obviously want success.
“There’s no better feeling than when you win the FA Cup and walk up those stairs to pick up that trophy. Hopefully we can do that.”
Young, who began his career as a winger, has reinvented himself as a left-back at United and his prowess in his newfound role will see him rewarded with a place today in England’s World Cup squad.
The 32-year-old, who has never been to a World Cup, has made himself United’s firstchoice left-back and is comfortable in that role or as a wing-back – the position he is likely to occupy for England in Russia.
Young was not considered for his country for four years, until Gareth Southgate recalled him last November for the friendlies against Germany and Brazil, coming on as a sub in the latter in a 0-0 draw at Wembley.
And Young puts his recall to the international scene down to his success in adapting into his new-found left-back role and making it his own at United, ahead of the likes of Luke Shaw, Matteo Darmian and Daley Blind.
“It’s been a massive boost for me, playing week-in and weekout,” Young told MUTV.
“I’m playing in a new position and feel like I can adapt. I’ve got a good footballing brain. I know where to be on the pitch and when to attack and when to defend.
“I’ve enjoyed the season and it’s gone even better than I had thought as I’ve got myself back in the England squad.
“Fingers crossed for when the squad is announced.”