Smashley Young
- Thread starter Red Defence
- Start date
Anderson was bought around the time he was arguably the most hyped up youngster (or close to it) in the world, I highly doubt Fergie thought he would be spending €30m on a future squad player, do you?
A squad player can be difficult to define, especially here, a club that arguably utilities our squad more than the majority in world football, but it's pretty clear that Young wasn't simply bought to be an alternative to Nani or Valencia when they're injured/need a rest, which is what Craig (via his comparisons to Sinclair) and others seem to think was the case. I think it's pretty clear that SAF bought Young as someone who thought could seriously challenge our other wingers for a first team place.
If Young was bought to be a first team regular that depresses me a little.
I'll always defend him as a squad player, however.
I'll always defend him as a squad player, however.
You don't have to pretend, he cost £15 million.
I dont think you are alone. If you look back on posts on the subject around the time he arrived, a lot of people were quite downbeat.
It was undisclosed, and it has ranged from £15m to £20m, though I remember reading it was spread over four years or something.
Better than Sinclair. High praise.
Agree. He gets so much stick on here. I've absolutely no problem with him being at United as a squad player whatsoever.
Me neither, so let's make sure we go sign some better wingers so he is a "squad player" 
Me neither, so let's make sure we go sign some better wingers so he is a "squad player"
He's not a guaranteed starter hence he's a squad player. I've no issue with that. It's down to the other wingers to show they're better then him and keep him on the bench afterall.
A lot more people were also downbeat about Valencia probably(especially since Ronaldo had left that summer) than Young who was seen more as a squad option signing anyway.
Maybe. I was personally more excited about Valencia. Young was all tied up with the disappointment of the second CL defeat for me, it felt a bolder statement was needed.
From the moment we signed him, I understood that Ashley Young was a squad player and although I wanted us to sign someone else, I thought Ashley Young was a good signing for us and I didn't even take issue with the transfer fee which has been a sticking point for alot of people.
My issue with Ashley Young has been that he hasn't really been a good squad player for us either. He's had a few amazing games here and there, but for the most part he's been very underwhelming. From the time we signed Ashley Young, I'm willing to be that Anti-Consistent Anderson has probably had more good performances than Ashley Young. I never expected Ashley Young to become world class just because he came to United for a big fee, but I did expect him to be better than he has been.
My issue with Ashley Young has been that he hasn't really been a good squad player for us either. He's had a few amazing games here and there, but for the most part he's been very underwhelming. From the time we signed Ashley Young, I'm willing to be that Anti-Consistent Anderson has probably had more good performances than Ashley Young. I never expected Ashley Young to become world class just because he came to United for a big fee, but I did expect him to be better than he has been.
What is generally expected from a squad player ? What kinda performances and attitude ? Have Young ticked off both boxes so far ?
As mentioned - Young wasn't bought as a squad player. Squad players shouldn't cost £17 million and 90k a week. So he's been a poor signing as pretty much everyone predicted before his fluke purple patch at the start of his career with us got us all giddy.
It's just hard to look past his fee and the amount of starts he gets. It's easy to say he's a squad player but is he really? When fit he starts alot more games than he misses, we also payed £18m for him and if reports are true he's on around 90-100k a week in wages.
He was good for Villa but never good enough for us. The Darren Bent of wingers at the time. Most thought he'd have to step up a level at United and expected him to make that step up once he joined us but it hasn't happened and it won't happen.
I wouldn't say he was bought to be a squad player, personally I think he's only good enough to be a squad player but I don't think Fergie would fork out such a high fee and reportedly high wages for someone in that role. I think he was simply bought as competition. I personally think given he was in the last year of his contract we overpaid.
I think though he can be a useful player for us, his defensive work rate is really strong and whilst he isn't the most exciting player generally he'll keep the ball well and is capable of putting in a great ball/shot. For games where we need to be a bit more solid he's a useful player. I think the problem with him though is that if you have him on one side then you want the player on the other flank to be really creative and over this season in particularl we've not had that as Valencia and Nani have been out of form. Add in Rooney typically playing in the hole and you've got our 3 main creative slots not really being that creative. Rooney brings a lot to the all round game but he doesn't put a huge amount of through balls in, his main outlet is to spread it wide and that's where the problem has already been.
But if we pick up that creativity with the likes of Kagawa being more involved, and Nani/Valencia picking up their games if they're here then Young is a useful player to have.
I think though he can be a useful player for us, his defensive work rate is really strong and whilst he isn't the most exciting player generally he'll keep the ball well and is capable of putting in a great ball/shot. For games where we need to be a bit more solid he's a useful player. I think the problem with him though is that if you have him on one side then you want the player on the other flank to be really creative and over this season in particularl we've not had that as Valencia and Nani have been out of form. Add in Rooney typically playing in the hole and you've got our 3 main creative slots not really being that creative. Rooney brings a lot to the all round game but he doesn't put a huge amount of through balls in, his main outlet is to spread it wide and that's where the problem has already been.
But if we pick up that creativity with the likes of Kagawa being more involved, and Nani/Valencia picking up their games if they're here then Young is a useful player to have.
At some point somebody will realise that football is a team sport. Having Young helps bring out the best in Evra and he links quite well with Rooney. If having him in the team makes us more likely to win regardless of how many goals he scores or chances he makes I'll be happy enough. As it is his performances aren't as bad as people are making out.
In our case the difference between a squad player and someone who is brought in as competition for his fellow wingers is a pretty subtle one. We rotate more than most, after all.
I think Fergie wanted an established winger with PL experience. He paid accordingly – the domestic market being what it is. Young is for lack of a better word a rotation player (like many others on our books). How many certified starters do we have at the end of the day?
He has been alright-ish so far. The main reason people get on his case seems to be the price tag – which is understandable, I suppose. But not strictly speaking relevant. If you want a proven PL player he will cost you – that's just the way it is.
I think Fergie wanted an established winger with PL experience. He paid accordingly – the domestic market being what it is. Young is for lack of a better word a rotation player (like many others on our books). How many certified starters do we have at the end of the day?
He has been alright-ish so far. The main reason people get on his case seems to be the price tag – which is understandable, I suppose. But not strictly speaking relevant. If you want a proven PL player he will cost you – that's just the way it is.
The main reason I get on his case is because he's so bloody frustrating and when he isn't frustrating he's usually injured.
Just seen the photos from training in Japan last night, and Ashley is out there training - guess that means he could be involved at some point this week in 1 of the friendlies?.
Moyes said he would be involved. Doesn't really make one excited. No idea why we bothered with signing him.
I think he has a lot more to show. He certainly had some great moments for us, the 2 goals v Arsenal, the Tottenham goal, the run to get Ivanovic sent off.
He has not been completely useless, but I agree I think we expected a little more.
Hopefully his injuries are behind him and he can kick on, and he is a good footballer when he gets his head down.
he is a good top 6-10 footballer when he gets his head down. Never good enough for this club.
He was excellent away to City last season. Good squad player imo.
Can't stand him.
Should have had a fecking goal as well.
I really don't think about how much we more we can expect. To me, he is an average player and that's all.
He's a squad player. Don't really get the hatred myself.
People annoyed at Young when it was Fergie keeping Nani out of the side. Same with Valencia.
I got annoyed at Young when he wasn't keeping Nani out of the side.
That's my point. Young never kept anyone out of the side, but everyone in the Nani camp chose to blame Young for it anyway.
Yes I get the point you're making, and agree with it. But people in the Nani camp, as you put it, have their own alternative reality anyway. In their world he's starting every game, winning Player of the Year awards and about to secure his fifth Ballon D'or nomination.
Last season our wingers had a piss-poor year. All of them to a man. But in his first year Young more than did enough to impress me when he was fit. Certainly he did nothing more lauded wingers didn't do. The dogs abuse he gets from some quarters is possibly just insecurity.
The attitude and hatred towards Young is pretty shameful tbh. Pathetic attitude that some have taken towards him which has led, in turn, to him being vastly under rated. Didn't help with him being injured for most of last season though.
I'm not a huge fan of his but it's clear to see he has plenty to offer the football club.
I'm not a huge fan of his but it's clear to see he has plenty to offer the football club.
Oh here's a surprise, Stickles is obscuring the truth again to fit his own dumb arguments.
Completely agree. He's a decent option to have on the bench at the very least. I still think that he lacks the confidence since moving to United. I mean at times, like against Arsenal, he can open up completely and play fantastically. He was quality against City as well in that 3-2 win.
The hate confuses me.
You are obviously easily impressed then. For an £18 million player on 100 grand + a week I would have expected a lot more. He scored some good goals but his overall contribution was short.
Last season when he was fit he was pretty damn godawful. When I look at what City have just bought for similar money I shudder.