MOUR THE WARRIOR
Young: It’s so fast and aggressive in training under Jose.. everybody is fighting to be in the team
JOSE MOURINHO’S aggressive approach to training is driving Manchester United to new heights this season.
Mourinho has restored the edge to sessions that disappeared under former boss Louis van Gaal (below, right), with United’s stars playing as they train – with intensity and rivalry. The Reds maintained their impressive start to the season with an emphatic 4-1 win away to CSKA Moscow in the Champions League. Ashley Young, skipper for the night, revealed how Mourinho’s demands in training have intensified the battle for places and fuelled their winning mengoing tality. “You see the way training is –it’s fast, there’s aggression there, everyone wants to win,” said Young (celebrating below with scorer Romelu Lukaku).
“Everyone’s got a winning mentality, you take that into games and we’ve shown that this season.
“And when you have boys coming off the bench and adding to that, the squad looks very, very healthy. “It’s a team game, a squad
game, every- body wants to be playing well and wants to be in the team.
“Everyone’s fighting for places and it’s healthy competition. If you have 20-plus players all wanting to get in that starting line-up, you can’t go wrong.
“It’s exciting times here and I want to be part of the success. As a footballer you want to win trophies and be part of a successful team.
“For me, United is that club, the most successful club in England and, hopefully, we can add to the trophies we won last season.
“Everyone wants to win every competition we are in.
There’s not one we’re to prioritise. We want to go at it on all fronts, whether in Europe or domestically.
“We were delighted to win what we did last season but, if we can add the Premier League, the League Cup again, the FA Cup, or Champions League, that would be great.
“We want to keep this momentum going. When you’re playing with confidence, it’s fantastic.”
Young, who is out of contract at the end of the season, has illustrated his value to United following his return from a lengthy injury.
The 32-year-old has proved his versatility in playing left-back, right-back, and in an advanced left-sided role in Moscow, where Mourinho made him skipper.
“I feel really good,” he added. “Obviously, getting the armband is a proud moment.
“It shows the manager has trust in me.
“I have got to repay him and think I have been doing that in the games I’ve played.”