Evergreen Young ready to bite hand that fed him

SHOULD both Europa League semi-finals go to form, the ghost of Manchester United past will be waiting for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team in Friday’s final.

Inter Milan, who face Shakhtar Donetsk in the other semi, have United old boys Romelu Lukaku, Ashley Young and Alexis Sanchez on their roster besides other familiar names such as Christian Eriksen (former Tottenham), Victor Moses (Chelsea) and manager Antonio Conte (Chelsea).

The presence of Young is particularly interesting. He started 2020 as United’s captain before his unexpected move to Serie A. Now 35, a neat trim has replaced the shaven head and he is playing left wing-back like someone a decade younger.

‘I spoke to Ole and he said I wasn’t going to play as much as I wanted,’ explains Young about his departure.

‘For me, age is nothing but a number. I’m as fit as anyone and felt I had a lot to give. When the opportunity came at Inter, it was a no-brainer. I was like, “Get me on the plane, get me out there”.’

He is now well settled in Milan and says the only thing he misses about home is his mum’s cooking.

Inter, who finished second in Serie A, play a 3-4-3 system as Conte did winning the Premier League title at Chelsea. For Young, it gives him more attacking freedom than he had at United as an orthodox full-back. ‘Conte demands everything, not just in matches, in training as well. You can tell he’s a winner,’ he says.

‘It’s more of a tactical league than I’ve been used to but I have adapted. The way we play, you’re more on the front foot. It’s felt like a new lease of life being able to assist and get on the score sheet. Back at United, I was more of an out-and-out defender.’

With five goals, Young has recorded his best scoring season since 2011-12, when he was a winger at United. He acknowledges having friends such as Lukaku at the club has made it easier to acclimatise.

‘He was one of the players I spoke to before coming out,’ revealed Young to UEFA.com. ‘He was desperate for me to go out and he’s been a massive help since.’

Young missed United’s Europa triumph of 2017 through injury.

He went hoarse encouraging his team-mates in the final against Ajax. This time he will be equally vocal trying to stop his beloved United on the pitch.