A. Young | Guardian: Medical today

[KingEric7]

That is, of course, assming Fergie rates them highly enough to even see them as future United players, or seems them benefitting from a wing role. That is not taking into account Giggs's wing days surely have to end sometime and 37 is a pretty good time for it. That Park is 30 and was never the most natural winger anyway.

If someome is good enough, he will get his chance. They normally do as United. And if someone who is ahead of him should be removed for that, he will be.

I just find it funny that a lot of United fans have become little Wengers, worrying about blocking the route of young players who may or may not make it, thus being against senior signings. Might have understood that if we had a different manager, but we have Sir Alex.

This is the thing, though. Giggs might 37 and Park might be 30 and all that, but they're still excellent players now.

We've not become little Wengers, we just appreciate that squad, as it is, is actually in quite a tentative situation. Whilst we may be a player or two away from perfection, we're also potentially a player or two away from ruining the incredible distribution and balance of it.

Fergie has managed to assemble a squad of such strength, yet one of such obvious collective harmony, contentment and unison. This squad is certainly the result of 20-odd years of management, that's for sure. It is incredible. Genius, in fact.

Berbatov is in the final year of the contract. Something will have to give pretty soon. He'll have to sign a new deal, get sold or see out his contract and be free to sign a pre contract with any club in January. Meaning United could lose anywhere between 10-15 million in transfer fees.

We'll wait until it happens, or if it happens. For now, he's ours, and an integral part of the squad. It's amazing that Berbatov is being discussed as a reason as to why we should be cautious in signing a winger.

Such is the nature and versatility of this squad.

Another factor regarding the Young signing that I haven't even yet discussed is keeping the wingers, themselves, happy. Nani is reaching a stage now whereby he's probably going to become one of the best players on the planet, if he isn't already. He is going to want to start every single game when he hits his peak, which can't be that far away given his age, attributes, and the respective peak of a winger of his type. Valencia, similarly, is up there with most in his position, and will be expecting 40 games a season, though the guy is so likeable I get the impression he'd settle for 5 games a season, and packets of crisps for wages.

If Young does become a United player, I'm assuming that, whilst he may not be entirely bent on starting every single game, he'd also want to start a fair few games, but then you've also got Park who starts every big game when fit. I don't even think the youngster issue of it all needs to be discussed in that much detail given this but, again, it's a valid point.

It's just an unnecessary complication, for me. I don't think we should be signing wingers for the sake of it. The signing of Young doesn't necessitate, say, the marginalising of youngsters, Nani, Park or Valencia, but I just think the chances of disrupting the balance of our squad as a whole are such that it's not worth the risk for a player who wouldn't even add that much to the squad or first team.

The sort of player you do that for is one of Messi's, Ronaldo's or Nani's talent.

 

[RedThaiDevils#7]

He's a good player Young, I've caught him a few times, but this is an argument I've had in another thread prior to this, and my opinion hasn't changed. I don't actually think he's been significantly better than Downing this year, though he's clearly a better player. Downing's season has been an anomaly, though I think I'm right in saying that he's their player of the season.

Are you trying to compare a Behind the striker player with a Fullback/Winger for this season ?

Outrageous comparison imo. and judging by A.Young's season this year when he had to adopt a new position is too harsh...

Their player of the season should go to Albrighton. He has been excellent on the right wing. Amazing actually.

The point is that, on any given day, we are likely to have, already, 4 players or so that can be used there, and that's even before taking into account that there are returning players.

If Giggsy were to move CM for just 1 more season... You'd want someone to start blending in right away even if it was on the bench. Young can do that while also giving game time to Cleverly.

If we consider that Nani and Valencia are our first choice wingers, and that Park, even in games that are not of the utmost significance, takes up a slot on the wing even if the nature of his game dictates that he moves centrally, then there are automatically three absolutely top class players vying for 2 wing slots. If there is an injury here, Giggs can move to the wing, which is what will probably happen a fair bit more next year given the likely signing of a central midfielder.

True, but Giggsy won't last forever and taking Park's records for injuries along with Giggsy, A.Young at 12m ( As reports say ) isn't such a bad idea. I wouldn't be debating this if Obertan has shown more potential on the LW... But he clearly doesn't play like a United winger and doesn't create enough chances even with his blistering pace and good close control.

Even if we don't sign a central midfielder then, in the next few years, we are going to have to start thinking about fitting at least a couple of Welbeck, Morrison, King and Cleverley into the team. In the case of Morrison and Welbeck, taking into account their dribbling ability, I don't think it's a far-off suggestion to put forward the idea that he may spend a bit of time on the wing throughout the earlier stages of his career. These two, for me, have the ability to be a fair bit better than Welbeck. Signing Young will be a complete hinderence to these players.

To be fair mate, they are 18 with a lot of potentail ( Morrison in particular ). But we're not in the transition period where we have to rely on the youth. Our current crop is challenging for the CL year in year out so even with our talented youth coming up, you'd want a player who does not need time to adapt much, is a good dead ball specialist and offers a lot of variations to the attack, I see that in A.Young and 12m is a good price. SAF also rates him too...

Not saying that I entirely want the signing as I also like the raw talents of Hazard or Sanchez more... But A.Young would be a wise investment, PL proven and does bring end product ( Or will ) to any team he goes to.

Let the young ones get a run in the Carling cup, they aren't ready yet.

There's a lot more to it than just looking at the out and out wingers we have, and seeing if we need more. The reason Fergie has managed to keep this squad so happy is because he's been able to shift players out of their natural positions, to positions such as the wing, in order to accomodate players that would otherwise be incredibly unhappy at their position and status in the squad. There are so many reasons as to why I'm against the signing of a midfielder of Young's status, but this is the main one, even if he, himself, is reasonably versatile.

Not that I don't agree, but you don't clearly rate Young while you yourself seem to say he's not United quality and keep on claiming that you'd rather give the youth a go when some of them aren't ready yet.

Cleverly as much as I've watched him would be a great backup next season but we have to thoroughly analyze which is his best position first as some claim he'll do a better job in MF while others see him as a Giggsy type winger ( With out the tricker and dribbling of course ) Some also claim he would be Park's replacement....

We'll judge Cleverly again in pre-season but right now being linked with a player of Young's Calibre isn't bad, especially if we're looking on saving our budget for a new MF. 12m would be a steal imo...

Up to the gaffer though.... Just trying to point out that the signing will be mostly positive imo.

 

[Amir]

This is the thing, though. Giggs might 37 and Park might be 30 and all that, but they're still excellent players now.

Of course they are excellent players. But it's been years since Fergie declared Giggs's wing days were over. And he's still running down that wing. Maybe Fergie has decided 'no more'. Park is also very good, and he's still not a natural winger and doesn't have explosive pace or the trickery that we need there. It has to be said that for quite a few of our matches, playing Park on the wing is not great for the team because we need a different type of players.

As for the young players, maybe Fergie has seen what happens when we played Welbeck on the wing in the past, or Obertan and Bebe, and figured we needed extra senior cover.

There's no question Young is not the first name I'd put on my wanted list for the summer. Nor would any other winger appear there. But you can see the benefits of signing a player like him. Plus the set pieces, being english, decent price.

 

[KingEric7]

Are you trying to compare a Behind the striker player with a Fullback/Winger for this season ?

Outrageous comparison imo. and judging by A.Young's season this year when he had to adopt a new position is too harsh...

Their player of the season should go to Albrighton. He has been excellent on the right wing. Amazing actually.

No, I'm trying to give an idea of the player we're potentially disrupting a balanced squad for.

If Giggsy were to move CM for just 1 more season... You'd want someone to start blending in right away even if it was on the bench. Young can do that while also giving game time to Cleverly.

Leave it for another season, then. As it stands, we are in such good shape that there is no need whatsoever. I could understand it if we were in some sort of dire situation in regards to wingers.

True, but Giggsy won't last forever and taking Park's records for injuries along with Giggsy, A.Young at 12m ( As reports say ) isn't such a bad idea. I wouldn't be debating this if Obertan has shown more potential on the LW... But he clearly doesn't play like a United winger and doesn't create enough chances even with his blistering pace and good close control.

I still don't think my point is quite being grasped. I can see the use in the Young signing - set pieces for example. However, the risk is not worth it.

To be fair mate, they are 18 with a lot of potentail ( Morrison in particular ). But we're not in the transition period where we have to rely on the youth. Our current crop is challenging for the CL year in year out so even with our talented youth coming up, you'd want a player who does not need time to adapt much, is a good dead ball specialist and offers a lot of variations to the attack, I see that in A.Young and 12m is a good price. SAF also rates him too...

Not saying that I entirely want the signing as I also like the raw talents of Hazard or Sanchez more... But A.Young would be a wise investment, PL proven and does bring end product ( Or will ) to any team he goes to.

Let the young ones get a run in the Carling cup, they aren't ready yet.

Exactly, we are not in a transition period! We have a fantastic set of wingers, an excellent set of youngsters, of which some are returning, players that can fill in on the wing if necessary, etc....

I'm not actually contesting the Young signing on its own; rather, I'm contesting the idea that we should go after a winger at all. One reason is that we already have 3 of the best in the world, another is that we have younger players waiting to step up, another is that it may disrupt this incredible squad.

Each reason is valid.

Up to the gaffer though.... Just trying to point out that the signing will be mostly positive imo.

Funnily enough, if we did sign Young, I wouldn't be surprised if it turned out to be some sort of masterstroke given the success of Fergie, but given my mortal mind, it's my view that there's just no point, as well as there being too many risks.

 

[devilish]

The thing is, these would be 5th or 6th choice wingers. They are easily good enough for that. I remember putting forward the same argument about wingers last year - that we had enough of them, and that opinion is vindicated by Nani being one of the best performers over the course of the season, and Valencia and Park being outstanding since returning from injury. Nothing has changed.

We don't actually need Welbeck or Cleverley to make the step up, or to adapt to the wing, such is the strength in depth on the wings already. I often get the impression people get over-excited about winger signings and forget what we have already - 3 or 4 of the very best wingers out there.





Both still missing the point.

Nani, Park, Valencia, Giggs, Obertan, Cleverley, Welbeck, even Bebe and King.

What is any winger going to provide here that we don't already have? We simply don't need a winger. If we're going to sign a winger, it should be one of Nani or Valencia's standard, though it would still be money wasted in my opinion.

We run the risk of convoluting a squad that is perhaps one signing away from being perfect. That one signing is not a winger.

You're missing the point. The flanks has always been our main creative route. That requires quality both in terms of first team (Valencia-Nani can provide that) and backup. Now the question is simple. Do we have quality cover/competition for Valencia-Nani? Giggs is growing old and a sudden dip of form due to age should be a well calculated risk. Park is good but he's the defensive minded type of winger. Cleverley wasn't even involved in Wigan's best games, Welbeck is a striker, Obertan AND Bebe couldn't dribble past Crawley's defense.

I don't think that Young should be first priority. On the other hand if he is available at a bargain price then why not? He's English, he's got talent and pace, he's versatile (he can cover both flanks and the forward position), he's a freekick specialised (something that we are currently missing) and he's EPL tested. Considering that he's price is rumored to be around the 15m mark and that we've spent around 10.5m on wingers who struggle in doing the basics (crossing the ball well, dribble past an opponent, be useful on the pitch) then we would be stupid not to get him. We can always recoup at least third of that fee by selling Bebe and Obertan to a 1st division side (or the circus)

 

[KingEric7]

Of course they are excellent players. But it's been years since Fergie declared Giggs's wing days were over. And he's still running down that wing. Maybe Fergie has decided 'no more'. Park is also very good, and he's still not a natural winger and doesn't have explosive pace or the trickery that we need there. It has to be said that for quite a few of our matches, playing Park on the wing is not great for the team because we need a different type of players.

As for the young players, maybe Fergie has seen what happens when we played Welbeck on the wing in the past, or Obertan and Bebe, and figured we needed extra senior cover.

There's no question Young is not the first name I'd put on my wanted list for the summer. Nor would any other winger appear there. But you can see the benefits of signing a player like him. Plus the set pieces, being english, decent price.

Yeh, I can see the benefits. Set pieces is something we've not had in so long, but that's the only one really that I can see being brought to the table. Might as well hit two birds with one stone and sign a central midfielder that can do the lot - a central midfielder that will take up a position that is not already taken up by 2 or 3 world class players.

You need only look at our wingers' attributes on the face of things - we have a winger who has productivity to rival any other, one that is absolutely ideal for the way we play, and is fantastic on the counter, in attack and in defence, and another who must start at all costs in the very biggest of games. We then have a winger (playing predominately at central midfield), who whilst approaching the end of his career, shows no signs of slowing and can still fit in on the wing.

THEN, you've got the youngsters I'm going on about. What must be considered is that, even if they are not ready yet, Ashley Young is a signing that will take up a place in the squad, if he is good enough to stick around, for a long time. It just adds another layer to the ones waiting to come through. I understand the point regarding the Bebes, the Obertans, etc, but, even ignoring the fact that the Morrisons and Welbecks have a fair bit more talent, it's something that we should be assessing on principle in accordance with the historical policies of this club.

 

[RedThaiDevils#7]

No, I'm trying to give an idea of the player we're potentially disrupting a balanced squad for.



Leave it for another season, then. As it stands, we are in such good shape that there is no need whatsoever. I could understand it if we were in some sort of dire situation in regards to wingers.



I still don't think my point is quite being grasped. I can see the use in the Young signing - set pieces for example. However, the risk is not worth it.



Exactly, we are not in a transition period! We have a fantastic set of wingers, an excellent set of youngsters, of which some are returning, players that can fill in on the wing if necessary, etc....

I'm not actually contesting the Young signing on its own; rather, I'm contesting the idea that we should go after a winger at all. One reason is that we already have 3 of the best in the world, another is that we have younger players waiting to step up, another is that it may disrupt this incredible squad.

Each reason is valid.



Funnily enough, if we did sign Young, I wouldn't be surprised if it turned out to be some sort of masterstroke given the success of Fergie, but given my mortal mind, it's my view that there's just no point, as well as there being too many risks.

To summarize it, people don't agree with disrupting about the disrupting the squad issue.

Firstly most people would say Bebe'/Obertan aren't ready yet, neither are Cleverly/Morrison/Welbeck to be Backups for Nani/Valencia.

We've got Giggsy who clearly will be doing a full role in CM and will not play 3 games a week...

And with Park's injury record, it isn't safe to assume he'll play the whole season...

The only thing people are trying to point out is firstly, you are trying to create a balance in your mind while not considering the fact that Young CAN make a difference. You haven't watched enough of Young to actually say he is a risk...

Every play we sign is a risk... but a 12m risk is definitely better than a 30m one which will surely disrupt the balance as they'll demand playing time. If A.Young decides to move to us he'll know that he'll be rotated unless he steps up to be one of the best Wingers in the game but A.Young himself is daring the risk.

Agree or not, Young is a good player, good enough to play for us as a squad player and would demand Nani/Valencia to be on top of their game not to be dispatched. 12m, decent price and can also be played in the hole when needed.

Anyhow, the balance you claimed will be re-analyzed again in the summer and I'm sure being linked early with the likes of Young as 12m isn't bad news, I can assure you that.

 

[KingEric7]

You're missing the point. The flanks has always been our main creative route. That requires quality both in terms of first team (Valencia-Nani can provide that) and backup. Now the question is simple. Do we have quality cover/competition for Valencia-Nani? Giggs is growing old and a sudden dip of form due to age should be a well calculated risk. Park is good but he's the defensive minded type of winger. Cleverley wasn't even involved in Wigan's best games, Welbeck is a striker, Obertan AND Bebe couldn't dribble past Crawley's defense.

I don't think that Young should be first priority. On the other hand if he is available at a bargain price then why not? He's English, he's got talent and pace, he's versatile (he can cover both flanks and the forward position), he's a freekick specialised (something that we are currently missing) and he's EPL tested. Considering that he's price is rumored to be around the 15m mark and that we've spent around 10.5m on wingers who struggle in doing the basics (crossing the ball well, dribble past an opponent, be useful on the pitch) then we would be stupid not to get him. We can always recoup at least third of that fee by selling Bebe and Obertan to a 1st division side (or the circus)

I've not missed the point - I can see what everyone's going on about.

Your argument here is that we should have quality creative cover on the wings. Like you say, we already have two of the best wingers in the world, but people here keep underrating the cover we've got in this position. Just because we do not have players who are, by nature, wingers, does not mean we don't have quality cover there already.

Your point of contention is that we don't have quality creative cover for these two players. Again, I'd disagree.

Park, in recent times, has shown himself to be more than enough of a creative back-up option, if not good enough to be of first-team creative standard. Can you think of any may other teams in the world that have a 'back-up' option like Park? I find this point null either way given that there is nothing that states we should have 'creative back-up wingers' - it's almost a utopian squad concept.

Secondly, people keep going on about Giggs' age, but I can't accept it as an argument. We will probably sign a central midfielder this year, which means Giggs will, in all likelihood, be fresh for a fair bit yet. At the end of the day, it would take an absolute crisis of injury to make the signing of a winger, no matter what you want in a winger, to be of any use.

Ultimately though, there's something that everyone keeps forgetting, and that is that Wayne Rooney can play on the wing if necessary! Not ideal, but if we're in trouble, it allows Berbatov to get a run in the team, and I can guarantee that Rooney's a lot better on the wing on the evidence of 08/09 pretty much anyone we'll bring in.

This squd is fine in regards to wingers. I'm not budging!

 

[KingEric7]

To summarize it, people don't agree with disrupting about the disrupting the squad issue.

Firstly most people would say Bebe'/Obertan aren't ready yet, neither are Cleverly/Morrison/Welbeck to be Backups for Nani/Valencia.

We've got Giggsy who clearly will be doing a full role in CM and will not play 3 games a week...

And with Park's injury record, it isn't safe to assume he'll play the whole season...

The only thing people are trying to point out is firstly, you are trying to create a balance in your mind while not considering the fact that Young CAN make a difference. You haven't watched enough of Young to actually say he is a risk...

Every play we sign is a risk... but a 12m risk is definitely better than a 30m one which will surely disrupt the balance as they'll demand playing time. If A.Young decides to move to us he'll know that he'll be rotated unless he steps up to be one of the best Wingers in the game but A.Young himself is daring the risk.

Agree or not, Young is a good player, good enough to play for us as a squad player and would demand Nani/Valencia to be on top of their game not to be dispatched. 12m, decent price and can also be played in the hole when needed.

Anyhow, the balance you claimed will be re-analyzed again in the summer and I'm sure being linked early with the likes of Young as 12m isn't bad news, I can assure you that.

I have watched enough of Young, I don't know where you're getting that from. I watched him for Watford as much as I've watched him for Villa. I know his assets and his skillset.

How is Welbeck not ready to be a back-up option for Valencia and Nani? He's been brilliant at times for Sunderland this year, even if it has been predominately in the forward position (his best game came against Chelsea - on the wing). I can only assume that you have not seen enough of Welbeck. Prior to his injuries, he was getting praised to the high heaves from all angles.


The thing is, the reasoning that people are putting forward is reliant on their being some sort of incredible injury crisis whereby a bunch of players are injured. If this is so, then we'll just have to manage, though I can't for the life of me anticipate a situation whereby we'll look back and think, "Shit, I wish we'd signed Ashley Young". Again, there is the Rooney option.

I'm sure he would be a good player for us (he is a good player, and should play for England more), but I'm not sure a winger is necessary.

The thing is, if we are looking to sign 3 players like reports suggest (if they are to be trusted), then I can only assume that we ARE actually in for a winger, making this whole line of argument quite pointless considering there is clearly someone far more intelligent and knowledgeable of a different view.

 

[Mainoldo]

I have watched enough of Young, I don't know where you're getting that from. I watched him for Watford as much as I've watched him for Villa. I know his assets and his skillset.

How is Welbeck not ready to be a back-up option for Valencia and Nani? He's been brilliant at times for Sunderland this year, even if it has been predominately in the forward position (his best game came against Chelsea - on the wing). I can only assume that you have not seen enough of Welbeck. Prior to his injuries, he was getting praised to the high heaves from all angles.


The thing is, the reasoning that people are putting forward is reliant on their being some sort of incredible injury crisis whereby a bunch of players are injured. If this is so, then we'll just have to manage, though I can't for the life of me anticipate a situation whereby we'll look back and think, "Shit, I wish we'd signed Ashley Young". Again, there is the Rooney option.

I'm sure he would be a good player for us (he is a good player, and should play for England more), but I'm not sure a winger is necessary.

The thing is, if we are looking to sign 3 players like reports suggest (if they are to be trusted), then I can only assume that we ARE actually in for a winger, making this whole line of argument quite pointless considering there is clearly someone far more intelligent and knowledgeable of a different view.

We sent Welbeck out on loan to develop his game not to come back and learn his trade again on the wing. Young will not be a back up thats the main point i think people are trying to get across we have enough back up players he is a player that will push the 1st team regulars whilst offering set piece expertise which we have lacked lately. Maybe Fergie is trying to improve on that area.

 

[KingEric7]

We sent Welbeck out on loan to develop his game not to come back and learn his trade again on the wing. Young will not be a back up thats the main point i think people are trying to get across we have enough back up players he is a player that will push the 1st team regulars whilst offering set piece expertise which we have lacked lately. Maybe Fergie is trying to improve on that area.

We sent Welbeck on loan to get first team football - he was sent there in the knowledge that he had Bent and Gyan to cope with, so I'm pretty sure Fergie would have anticipated him playing on the wing a fair bit.

Signing Young in the hope of him dislodging a first teamer of the calibre of Nani and Valencia? Wishful thinking for me but, even so, I can't see any benefit to come out of marginalising Valencia or Nani in some capacity (they would get less first team appearances) which, by default, is what this would lead to.

Young is not good enough to warrant a signing on this basis. You can say that he might improve and that, but Valencia and Nani have got far more scope for improvement, basically because they are better players whilst still having more obvious areas in which they can still conceivably improve massively.

I had a good laugh when I read that post in this thread saying that Young was better going forward, or in shape or form, than Valencia. I mean, honestly?

 

[Mainoldo]

We sent Welbeck on loan to get first team football - he was sent there in the knowledge that he had Bent and Gyan to cope with, so I'm pretty sure Fergie would have anticipated him playing on the wing a fair bit.

Signing Young in the hope of him dislodging a first teamer of the calibre of Nani and Valencia? Wishful thinking for me but, even so, I can't see any benefit to come out of marginalising Valencia or Nani in some capacity (they would get less first team appearances) which, by default, is what this would lead to.

Young is not good enough to warrant a signing on this basis. You can say that he might improve and that, but Valencia and Nani have got far more scope for improvement, basically because they are better players whilst still having more obvious areas in which they can still conceivably improve massively.

I had a good laugh when I read that post in this thread saying that Young was better going forward, or in shape or form, than Valencia. I mean, honestly?

Your looking at this too narrow minded. In terms of Welbeck if he's going to be used as a back up winger again he might aswell go back on loan his done his time their for Sunderland and is in good stead now for the front line front three.

Valencia and Nani like we've sin this season will not play every week neither do we have quality on the bench which or up to their calibure they pretty much replace eachother at the minute. Unlike both Young offers more versatility as he can also play behind the striker. Every player can improve in different areas, doesn't necessarily mean they will though does it.

 

[KingEric7]

Your looking at this too narrow minded. In terms of Welbeck if he's going to be used as a back up winger again he might aswell go back on loan his done his time their for Sunderland and is in good stead now for the front line front three.

Valencia and Nani like we've sin this season will not play every week neither do we have quality on the bench which or up to their calibure they pretty much replace eachother at the minute. Unlike both Young offers more versatility as he can also play behind the striker. Every player can improve in different areas, doesn't necessarily mean they will though does it.

I never said Welbeck was going to be used as a back-up winger; rather, he'd fit into a squad policy whereby he'd play where and when was required. At times, in times of an injury crisis upfront, he'd play as a foward. In other matches, he'd play on the wing, just to get him some minutes, and in order to try and further develop his other attributes. It's because of this sort of thing that Fergie has managed to keep a huge squad happy. In fact, it's because of this sort of thing that we won the title this year.

I'm not looking at it 'too narrow-minded' at all. The only reason Valencia hasn't played every game is because he picked up an injury last year that most players don't actually get in their career. The only reason Nani didn't play every week is because of the return of Valencia, which meant that there was someone else on the other wing a lot of the time deemed good enough to displace Nani (Park)!

In regards to the bit in bold, you are looking at it in too narrow-minded a fashion if you think we should expect to have, or if you think it is reasonable to have a squad full of class back-up options, or a squad jam packed with players being rotated whilst still being kept happy (not that Young is actually all that in the first place).

 

[CassiusClaymore]

I really don't see the big debate on this.

He's a good team player, great crosser, has pace to burn, takes a decent free kick and gives us an option of another player that can play in the hole behind a striker should Rooney be out.

Oh and he's seemingly available at a decent price. And he's English.

Why would we not want him here?

 

[Member 5225]

I really don't see the big debate on this.

He's a good team player, great crosser, has pace to burn, takes a decent free kick and gives us an option of another player that can play in the hole behind a striker should Rooney be out.

Oh and he's seemingly available at a decent price. And he's English.

Why would we not want him here?

This.

Am pretty neutral about him - I don't think he'll make a massive difference to our squad/team and take us the next level higher, but then again, do we NEED to (PL champs and CL final) we just need to sustain and he will be an extra option

 

[RedThaiDevils#7]

I have watched enough of Young, I don't know where you're getting that from. I watched him for Watford as much as I've watched him for Villa. I know his assets and his skillset.

How is Welbeck not ready to be a back-up option for Valencia and Nani? He's been brilliant at times for Sunderland this year, even if it has been predominately in the forward position (his best game came against Chelsea - on the wing). I can only assume that you have not seen enough of Welbeck. Prior to his injuries, he was getting praised to the high heaves from all angles.


The thing is, the reasoning that people are putting forward is reliant on their being some sort of incredible injury crisis whereby a bunch of players are injured. If this is so, then we'll just have to manage, though I can't for the life of me anticipate a situation whereby we'll look back and think, "Shit, I wish we'd signed Ashley Young". Again, there is the Rooney option.

I'm sure he would be a good player for us (he is a good player, and should play for England more), but I'm not sure a winger is necessary.

The thing is, if we are looking to sign 3 players like reports suggest (if they are to be trusted), then I can only assume that we ARE actually in for a winger, making this whole line of argument quite pointless considering there is clearly someone far more intelligent and knowledgeable of a different view.

Then you totally missed your unbalanced issues...

Welbeck again has done well in Sunderland, but his overall game where he is getting the praise was when he was in the middle actually getting on the end of things.

With his talent, playing on the wings look easy but that definitely doesn't mean that Welbeck is getting the praise because he is a good winger, he is a good overall attacking player which can be deployed on the wing, but won't bring the best out of him...

Most of your quotes about unbalancing the team seem to diminish...

If you don't accept that Young won't add something extra to the squad then fine. Not worth the debate really if you don't rate the player and watched enough of him.

 

[devilish]

I've not missed the point - I can see what everyone's going on about.

Your argument here is that we should have quality creative cover on the wings. Like you say, we already have two of the best wingers in the world, but people here keep underrating the cover we've got in this position. Just because we do not have players who are, by nature, wingers, does not mean we don't have quality cover there already.

Your point of contention is that we don't have quality creative cover for these two players. Again, I'd disagree.

Park, in recent times, has shown himself to be more than enough of a creative back-up option, if not good enough to be of first-team creative standard. Can you think of any may other teams in the world that have a 'back-up' option like Park? I find this point null either way given that there is nothing that states we should have 'creative back-up wingers' - it's almost a utopian squad concept.

Secondly, people keep going on about Giggs' age, but I can't accept it as an argument. We will probably sign a central midfielder this year, which means Giggs will, in all likelihood, be fresh for a fair bit yet. At the end of the day, it would take an absolute crisis of injury to make the signing of a winger, no matter what you want in a winger, to be of any use.

Ultimately though, there's something that everyone keeps forgetting, and that is that Wayne Rooney can play on the wing if necessary! Not ideal, but if we're in trouble, it allows Berbatov to get a run in the team, and I can guarantee that Rooney's a lot better on the wing on the evidence of 08/09 pretty much anyone we'll bring in.

This squd is fine in regards to wingers. I'm not budging!

Or its more of the case that you're overrating our cover. SAF had been saying it for years that Giggs shouldn't be playing on the flanks (I doubt that SAF undervalue Giggs) and yet we still see him on the flank as his 'replacement' find it hard to compete against Crawley. I cant blame SAF if he had decided to stop gambling on 'promising' wingers who do not yet know the basics and strikers/cm made wingers expecially if there's a highly rated, highly versatile EPL tested winger available on a bargain price.

 

[elmo]

If we sign him, it's not Welbeck that should be worried about his future at this club, it's Cleverly.

Young would improve us a lot for our corners and between Young/Park/Valencia/Nani I think we'll have a pretty good mix of wingers who have quality and at the same time all offer us something different.

 

[KingEric7]

Then you totally missed your unbalanced issues...

Welbeck again has done well in Sunderland, but his overall game where he is getting the praise was when he was in the middle actually getting on the end of things.

With his talent, playing on the wings look easy but that definitely doesn't mean that Welbeck is getting the praise because he is a good winger, he is a good overall attacking player which can be deployed on the wing, but won't bring the best out of him...

Most of your quotes about unbalancing the team seem to diminish...

If you don't accept that Young won't add something extra to the squad then fine. Not worth the debate really if you don't rate the player and watched enough of him.

I'll go over again what I'm getting at a later date but, for now, I'm off to the pub to watch the game! Shit me, I'm nervous.

 

[RedThaiDevils#7]

I'll go over again what I'm getting at a later date but, for now, I'm off to the pub to watch the game! Shit me, I'm nervous.

No prob... I understand what you mean, but the unbalancing issue will come in the summer.

 

[VoetbalWizard]

yep, our secret weapon to beat barca. the last piece of the puzzle. we must get this lad.

 

[Mickey]

Id trust fergie if he signed him, but really and truly dont want.

Without a doubt signing players like young and building on them, will make us a domestic force. But in europe, we need a bit better than young tbh. A fair bit better.

 

[Leg-End]

He's a luxury add-on piece this summer, I hope.

 

[Man-United]

Is he the solution to beat Barcelona in the final in Munich next year?

 

[Rooney17]

If Valencia plays the way he played today, then I wouldn't mind getting Young then. But I'm sure there's better options out there.

 

[Aporkalypse]

Is he the solution to beat Barcelona in the final in Munich next year?

No reason why he couldn't be. He can deliver a set piece when called upon.

 

[Amir]

No reason why he couldn't be. He can deliver a set piece when called upon.

We'll have to get the ball and win that set piece first.

It's probably not a signing that could make THE difference against Barcelona. But he could do that in so many other matches.

 

[Maajid]

Someone get a tattoo: Ashley Young, Champions League winner 2012.

 

[Kaos]

Someone get a tattoo: Ashley Young, Champions League winner 2012.

For Man City?

 

[Salvation]

We'll have to get the ball and win that set piece first.

It's probably not a signing that could make THE difference against Barcelona. But he could do that in so many other matches.

Exactly! Doubt anyone in this thread vouching for Young is branding him as the one who'd solve ALL of United's problems.

He's a very exciting winger who would improve United in various vital areas.

 

[Raees]

If we're looking to compete with Barca.. the likes of Young, are not the way to go.

 

[Amir]

If we're looking to compete with Barca.. the likes of Young, are not the way to go.

What is the way to go, if we want to build Barca?

We have to build the best team and squad we can. We're not facing Barcelonas on a weekly basis. Young would help us win leagues, would help us progress in europe.

 

[Raees]

We're already winning the League, if we want to continue winning it.. midfield investment is a priority and Nani is a good enough left-winger along with Park at Prem level. If we're going to splash out on someone who plays on the left, I'd rather it be either left footed, or someone special. Someone who could feature in games like tonight and visibly enhance the first team.. no point signing someone like Young, who'd enhance the squad but not the first team, we already possess one of the best squads in Europe.. we need to possess a greater first XI.

 

[Amir]

We've won the league, but we know we we had our faults through the season as well. If Giggs's days on the wing are over, we are down to three players. One of them is Park, who isn't a natural winger and doesn't offer the sort of pace and trickery we need. Signing Young isn't the number one priority, but if he's available and on a good price, it will make us stronger in a very important department for us.

We have to work in the midfield, but we can't just shift all focus there and leglect everything else. Maybe if Young wasn't available we wouldn't have gone for a winger. But if he is, then why the hell not.

 

[Devil may care]

Transfer news Ashley Young will snub Liverpool to join Manchester United - News - MirrorFootball.co.uk

Manchester United are set to beat arch rivals Liverpool in the £15million race to sign Ashley Young.

Sunday Mirror Sport *revealed in February how Sir Alex Ferguson failed in a bid to land the England winger during the last transfer *window due to Aston Villa’s reluctance to sell.

With Kenny Dalglish looking for a top-class wideman, Young had the chance of a potential move to Anfield.

But the 25-year-old England international has his heart set on moving to Old Trafford.

Ferguson already has Nani and Antonio Valencia to call on, but doubts remain over *Nani’s United future with the club reluctant to offer him a new contract and Young’s *arrival could signal his *eventual departure.

 

[Escobar]

What a shit article, Nani just signed a new contract

 

[Drifter]

Before yesterday i was ok with signing Young.But now i'm asking what would he have bought to the side that would have given us that edge.

 

[Richter]

Before yesterday i was ok with signing Young.But now i'm asking what would he have bought to the side that would have given us that edge.

He's not a edge signing, he would simply improve the squad. Vital signing when it comes to winning league titles but he won't make much difference in Europe or to be more precise vs a Barca.

 

[Sultan]

Even Pep admits he would find it difficult to beat Barca if he moved to another team. First and foremost United need to maintain and better a squad to be on top in England. Europe is secondary.

''If you play this football (like Barcelona) you need these players. At another club maybe I would have a problem to find these kind of players.''

 

[Rahul]

He wouldn't make any difference against a team like Barcelona. I don't see how he'd get into the team ahead of Nani or Valencia.