YOUNG AT HEART

United veteran still harbours dreams of making the World Cup: “I’ll never give up on England until my legs tell me they can’t run anymore”

ASHLEY YOUNG insists he has never given up on his ambition of playing in a World Cup.

He has bucked the trend under Gareth Southgate, the England manager making a rare move for experience.

At 32, Young is the oldest player in Southgate’s latest squad but he is adamant that he always harboured genuine hope of this surprise recall.

The Manchester United man said: “I never once shut the door on England or thought that the door was shut.

“For me, it is always an honour to pull on an England shirt. That’s why I will never retire until my legs tell me they can’t run any more.”

It is four years since Young last pulled on an England shirt, coming on as a substitute for Jack Wilshere in a goalless draw in Ukraine in September 2013 (saluting the fans, above right).

He had suffered the disappointment of being left out of Fabio Capello’s squad for the 2010 World Cup and he was never really a contender for the party Roy Hodgson took to Brazil in 2014.

But if his outstanding form with United continues, there is every chance the versatile Young could make it to Russia next summer. He said: “I’ve shown I am deserving of a place in the England squad but I don’t just want a place in the squad, I want to be in the team.

“I’m one of those players who wants to play every game. The World Cup is a long way away but at the back of my mind, I think every English player wants to go to it.”

Young has had a mixed time at

Old Trafford since his move in

2011. He has started less than half of United’s Premier League matches but is in favour with Jose Mourinho.

“A lot’s been said about me playing for three different managers at the club,” explained Young. “They have always believed in me.

“They have always had that trust in me to play, Champions League, Europa League, big derbies. “There did come a point last season where I wasn’t in the squad – it was disappointing but I have never thought about leaving. I’ve spoken to all three managers when there were difficult periods.

“But I have got confidence in myself, and confidence in my ability to get back into the team.”

Young has actually played for four different United managers – five if you count Ryan Giggs for his caretaker stint – but Mourinho is the one who has found a new role for him.

Young said: “I would prefer it if I was playing further up the pitch.

“But I’ve been able to adapt and play as a leftback or a right-back and as a wing-back.

“I’m one of those players who can read the game well.

“And I have now got that experience as well to be clever, knowing where to be, when to attack, when to defend.

“It’s proved quite easy to adjust and I feel like I have done that really well.”