Smashley Young

I'd honestly be surprised by Young and Nani start together more than Valencia and Young/Nani.
It's a matter of balance and with Valencia starting, the team is more balanced
 
Be really interesting to see who Fergie gives the nod to in the opening games. Seeing as Valencia has missed the tour, and is currently injured, he might miss out in the first few weeks. Although, with the games that's in it, we might see a lot of the Park/Valencia combo that Chelsea couldn't handle.

Loads of options out wide for him to choose from, which is great news. Such a change from the middle of last season when we were down to the bare bones.
 
Pogue Mahone said:
So he got picked ahead of Nani because he was playing better than him. Exactly my point. You seem convinced this couldn't possibly happen again. I think it's very possible. The converse is also possible. Time will tell.
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You make it sound like Valencia came back from a horric injury and knocked Nani out, and that's it. Reality is Valencia came back from a long term injury, and Nani hadn't fully recovered from a horrible injury at the time either. Valencia was a fitter player, and looked the better out of the two because of it. Yes Valencia had better form when he came back, but it doesn't hurt to add that Nani's lack of form was down to a freak injury, rather than him burning out.

Had Nani been fit, or hadn't been assaulted, I doubt the season would have finished that way to be honest. I agree with the rotation part, all three will get games and make way for each other, but Nani is clearly out strongest winger out of the three.

Great problem to have though. Valencia is just a machine, his discipline is through the roof. Nani always excites me and looks to be growing year in year out, I think he will be our star performer next season. Young looks immense so far, have been really impressed with his contribution so far on the tour.
 
I agree with Hectic. Although Nani himself said that he was a bit tired at the end of the season, because he had played more games for us than ever before.

Anyway this shouldnt turn into a who's better conversation. Just glad we got all those great opportunities on the flanks.

If only our CM was as stocked.
 
Yeah, it's great to have options, and we have three fantastic ones.
 
kouroux said:
I'd honestly be surprised by Young and Nani start together more than Valencia and Young/Nani.
It's a matter of balance and with Valencia starting, the team is more balanced
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I dont think so, Young actually gives a lot of what Valencia offers on the other side. He tracks back well and he gives good width. With the added bonus of top crossing and set pieces

The balance is already there but in a tight champions league match when its more important not to conceed than to score, or their danger man is on the left wing I'm sure Valencia will be drafted in if he's not already in the team due to form or freshness.
 
Would be interesting to see all 3 playing together in midfield also. Probably all of them in a line infront of 2 central midfielders, and behind a lone striker (probably Rooney). Each of them interchanging with eachother, would be a nightmare for any defence to handle.

-------Carrick-----Fletcher------

Valencia------Young-------Nani

--------------Rooney-----------
 
The wings are one of the things I'm most excited about for this coming season. We know the proven qualities of Nani and Valencia at the club and to add Young to that is fantastic depth of ability. Then to think if any of those three get injured, we have Park and Giggs to call upon (who I'm sure especially in the latter case will again be played more centrally this year).
 
Cutch said:
Would be interesting to see all 3 playing together in midfield also. Probably all of them in a line infront of 2 central midfielders, and behind a lone striker (probably Rooney). Each of them interchanging with eachother, would be a nightmare for any defence to handle.

-------Carrick-----Fletcher------

Valencia------Young-------Nani

--------------Rooney-----------
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Hell no.
 
Cutch said:
Would be interesting to see all 3 playing together in midfield also. Probably all of them in a line infront of 2 central midfielders, and behind a lone striker (probably Rooney). Each of them interchanging with eachother, would be a nightmare for any defence to handle.

-------Carrick-----Fletcher------

Valencia------Young-------Nani

--------------Rooney-----------
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Aye, can see that happening a fair bit in Europe. A return to 4231, with the option of playing Hernandez or Berbatov up top if/when Rooney needs a break.

Although Fergie does like to play Park in the CL, if at all possible.
 
Cutch's line up there looks really strong and also very interchangeable, which would make it quite difficult for defenses to keep track of players.

I am just glad we have those 3 options as wingers - they'll all play and I think all will have a big impact on our season.
 
Pogue Mahone said:
So he got picked ahead of Nani because he was playing better than him. Exactly my point. You seem convinced this couldn't possibly happen again. I think it's very possible. The converse is also possible. Time will tell.



That's your opinion anyway. Not everyone would agree. SAF clearly seemed to think differently in the back end of last season.
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You think Valencia was picked ahead of Nani because Fergie thinks he's a better player than him. Like Hectic said, that had nothing to do with it at the time given both players situations.

When all 3 are fully fit then Nani is the player winger, it's debatable between the other 2 but I think Young will get more game time because he is a very good left winger and right winger. Valencia is only the latter
 
cina said:
You think Valencia was picked ahead of Nani because Fergie thinks he's a better player than him. Like Hectic said, that had nothing to do with it at the time given both players situations.

When all 3 are fully fit then Nani is the player winger, it's debatable between the other 2 but I think Young will get more game time because he is a very good left winger and right winger. Valencia is only the latter
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No, I think he was picked because he was playing better than him. I don't know who the better player is. They both have very different qualities. Fwiw, I don't think Young is a shoe-in on the left ahead of Nani either.

If all three are fit and on form I think Fergie will have a hell of a time deciding who to leave out. Which is where we seem to disagree - as you're implying it's a no-brainer to leave Valencia on the bench.
 
kouroux said:
I'd honestly be surprised by Young and Nani start together more than Valencia and Young/Nani.
It's a matter of balance and with Valencia starting, the team is more balanced
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I don't think that's neccessarily the case.

Young's main asset is his versatility. I'd say Nani and Valencia were in competition for the right wing berth largely because Nani seems to be more effective from that side.
 
Pogue Mahone said:
No, I think he was picked because he was playing better than him. I don't know who the better player is. They both have very different qualities. Fwiw, I don't think Young is a shoe-in on the left ahead of Nani either.

If all three are fit and on form I think Fergie will have a hell of a time deciding who to leave out. Which is where we seem to disagree - as you're implying it's a no-brainer to leave Valencia on the bench.
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I'm not, I'm saying who the better players are on each side and the 2 who I'd expect to see playing more. Of course Valencia will get the nod in games, because he's so good defensively.
 
Think we could see more of the Young/Nani combination on the wings when playing home, while rotating them two and playing Valencia in away matches.

Teams that come to OT mainly play for a draw, sometimes organized play fails to bring goals and then you need someone like Young or Nani who can score out of nothing or make that killer pass to unlock opposition defence.

Playing away means disciplined play with tracing back and more of the counter-attack situations in which Valencia being classic winger bring so much with constant breakthrough and crosses to box.

Think we are so lucky to have such three players on disposal and have wings sorted for years to come and sweet problems for Sir Alex to have them as options. Can't complain myself.
 
Right now I think Young plays out on the left because Nani on the right is a better option. Nani is far more effective coming in from the right and using his left peg to take on a shot than Young and that is on top of being even strong on the right side. I think down the left side, it would probably be a toss up between the two.

I don't think there will be a clear cut case over the season where Nani/Young/Park are only fighting for a place on one wing. In Valencia's case you know he's pretty much fighting for a spot on the right.

I do hope we get to see a front 4 of Rooney/Young/Nani/Valencia in some games. Put Carrick and Anderson behind them, it could be mouth watering.
 
If Ashley Young scores 10 or more league goals for us we will win the League imo. A lovely gifted player whose move to United should see the best come out of him.


I hope he keeps the head down and works hard and does not get an Ego
 
Frustrated that he's not been tried on the right, he'll be much more effective there I reckon.
 
It feels like he's always been here for some reason.
 
He's a good player, I still rate Valencia and Nani higher mind you, but it's good to be able to rotate.
 
Young has something different from Nani and Valencia, I am so happy that we have all three of them. Young can play anywhere in midfield and cause problems. He will be a real asset for us.
 
Young disappointed me last night with his lack of running at the right back,never looked to take him on! I can only put this down to nerves perhaps and that he'll only grow with confidence.

the other thing that struck me is that when we got a freekick outside the box Rooney stood over it,is this going to be way from now on?
 
I still think Nani and Valencia should start on the wings. They should be first choice. But that is our big three just like how the Lakers have Lamar, Gasol and Bynum.
 
peterstorey said:
Young doesn't run with the ball much these days.
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He didn't take anyone on last night, he either crossed or passed it to Rooney. On reflection he disappointed me.
 
He has not done great during pre-season. A slight concern for me. Hope he picks it up when the season starts.
 
He was poor yesterday IMO. He put in a few wonderful crosses but he regularly played blind balls into the box and sometimes he'd put the ball into the box despite looking up and seeing no-one there.

He really struggled to even get a touch of the ball for the first 30 mins and genuinely looked a level or 2 below what we expect from United players.

Having said that, it's pre-season and I srtill fully expect him to be a success at the club. He just needs games to get on the same wave length as those around him.
 
cw1984 said:
He was poor yesterday IMO. He put in a few wonderful crosses but he regularly played blind balls into the box and sometimes he'd put the ball into the box despite looking up and seeing no-one there.

He really struggled to even get a touch of the ball for the first 30 mins and genuinely looked a level or 2 below what we expect from United players.

Having said that, it's pre-season and I srtill fully expect him to be a success at the club. He just needs games to get on the same wave length as those around him.
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You can't blame him.He's used to play with Emile Heskey, blind passes for a blind striker.
 
Was great against Seattle and poor against the All Stars. He was invisible for the first 25 mins and messed up most of his touches after. A bit disappointed by his unwillingness to take on the defender in that game. But it is only preseason.
 
Not his best, totally understandable as it was only his 3rd game with our formation after having so much time playing in the hole at Villa...

He should try shooting a bit more... Too focused on whipping in that cross and it made the fullback so used to his speed and dribbling.

Didn't link up that well yet, but his partnership with Evra has potential as they both seem to find each other quite often...

Would like to see him cross with his left foot a bit more, mostly I've witnessed him using mostly his right foot but his crosses have been very good and I hope there's more to come.
 
Young has always been a winger more inclined to swing it in early rather than take his man on outside or beat him for pace. If your expecting him to blitz past players and dazzle OT with his footwork, you'll be disappointed.
 
Pretty invisible for the first 30 min I watched. The highlight though was a set piece he delivered from the left side when Ando had been knocked over - they are hit with such pace and into such a dangerous area, that at least for me when he is over them I won't think - eh another pointless freekick, just give the ball back to the other team.
 
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