He was injured though. I don't care if it's a 'classic', if a player is injured then don't judge him as if he's fully fit.
If you don't think him good enough in spite of his injuries then how can you explain his excellent form when fully fit?
Wilfried Zaha - Sold to Crystal Palace
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He was injured though. I don't care if it's a 'classic', if a player is injured then don't judge him as if he's fully fit.
If you don't think him good enough in spite of his injuries then how can you explain his excellent form when fully fit?
He's been shit in loads of games for us when 'fully fit'. You can't just attribute poor games from players down to not being 'fully fit'. It's what the Rooney fan boys do as well.
No, he's been occasionally poor when only partially fit, when either recovering from injuries or playing with knocks.
The truth is that Ashley Young has only played about 25 games for United in full fitness during three periods over the two seasons*. In that time he's scored 8 goals and made 16 assists.
You can ignore his injury problems if you wish, but you'd be entirely unjustified in doing so. The demonstrable fact is that Young's problems are not with quality but with sustaining fitness; we know this because he has such evident end product when playing fully fit.
*
mid August - end of September 2011
mid February - May 2012
December 2012
that's just rubbish mate. That would make him one of the best wingers on the planet. You have low standards if you think Young is good enough as a first choice winger for us.
How is it rubbish? Have you even looked at Young's injury record over the last two seasons?
Young has only had three periods of full fitness during his two year career at United:
- August - September 2011
- February - May 2012
- December 2012
During those three periods he played around 25 games, scored 8 goals and made 16 assists. He's not regarded as a world class winger because injuries hold him back; yet when fully fit his end product cannot be argued with.
If Young manages a season injury free then I see him easily getting 30+ goals and assists during 13/14. He needs to get back on it and stay fit like he was at Villa - if he can do that then those laughing at him now will readily be forced to eat their words.
Pity I never got carried away over Valencia and Young performance over the year.
I was initially not happy at all when we got Young. I thought he wasn't good enough and wouldn't be able to make the step up. In his first spell in the team when he was fit he was excellent though and had swung me. I still don't think he's going to be a fist choice but if he does get the fitness right he's a dangerous player on form and may be able to play himself into the team.
Ridiculously underrated on here, he's a good player.
If we ever did get Bale then that would be the end of Young and Nani. In fact I would get rid of Young right now.
He is a good player he just doesn't have that United quality about him. Barring his occasional beautiful curled goals name me any highlights in his time here?
He is below Zaha already in my reckoning in terms of attacking potential
Id rank the wingers right now in terms of natural talent like this
Nani
Zaha
Valencia
Young
Naw mate, I was agreeing with you.
I was initially happy when we got him but he's underwhelming. Those beautiful curlers are well and good but he's got little creativity, we have better set-piece takers (at least one, RvP) and really, he's just nothing special. "Can do a job" so he's alright as a squad player.
Haven't seen a lot of Zaha, hopefully he's got a higher ceiling.
Zaha has the Lee Sharpe shimmy about him.
Could have a great fist impact season and be a brea of fresh air, if he can get a few great early performances under his belt.
I tip him to score on debut.
Could have a great fist impact season and be a brea of fresh air, if he can get a few great early performances under his belt.
I tip him to score on debut.
He needs to work on his goal scoring/conversion rate. Hopefully we'll see some development in that area as He wont be doubled up on this season
Zaha has more to him than Young and I expect him to prove it.
From the bits and pieces I'd seen, I've blown hot and cold on Zaha - pretty cold after the under 21s, but it seems he really was unfit.
Watching him for the first time in a United shirt was reassuring though. I'd feared he'd slow us down by dithering on the ball, delaying the pass, etc., but there was very little of that. He integrated into the side immediately and looks ready to challenge for a place.
Watching him for the first time in a United shirt was reassuring though. I'd feared he'd slow us down by dithering on the ball, delaying the pass, etc., but there was very little of that. He integrated into the side immediately and looks ready to challenge for a place.
And played as a central striker. Imagine asking Nani to perform in that role.
I've always wanted to see Nani as a support striker.
Didn't he very much want to be a central striker when he first came? Either way I'm sure he'd get goals, might not be his best position, not our best option, but he's do a job.
No, not at all. He's completely unsuited to the position, and has never suggested that he wants to play there. Because he's a reasonably well-built lad who can shoot, I can understand why people might expect him to be able to play there. But in terms of style, his closest analogue in our squad is Nani. He doesn't have the skill-set of a CF at all. Hence why he was completely anonymous there in those England U21 games.
You asked about Nani, my comments were referring to him.
Ah ok sorry I didn't get that. Did he really?! Have to say I think he'd be awful there.
People are making a bit too much out of some practice matches against Thai and Australian All-stars... He might be found out a lot more easily in actual Premiership football, and I'll agree that people are waaaay ahead of themselves in saying that he's already a firmer choice than a fit Young.
I know it's something small, but I do like how Zaha comes out last when the players come out. They're usually the type of players that seem to have a bit of "ego" about them. It's difficult to describe what I mean, not sure if ego is the word I'm thinking of. Reminds me of Ronaldo.
He's never played football before ten days ago then?
I could have sworn he... nah, never mind, you're probably right.
Hilarious, cider.
Players always carry the form they had for their former team into their new club, right? Especially when they have to make the jump up a division? Yes, of course, I forgot about that... You're probably right.
It really isn't such an outlandish statement. The evidence will come to light once the season starts.
Looked very promising again. The best of the lot today
Not all players make the step up, but some do.
Adam Johnson did very well when he first joined City, and continued to be as dangerous as he was at Boro. He let himself down eventually by being terribly unfit - He seems to not shy away from a boozy night out and whatnot, which is a shame, as I always liked him. I don't think we'll have that problem with Zaha. Just looking at him, his athleticism is very much a strongpoint for him.
We also shouldn't forget that Zaha had a very good game against us for Palace. He was very difficult to stop.
He might well have a running start and make me seem silly, but I still think it's premature off the back of Championship matches and a few pre-season matches to state that he's clearly a better option for us than Ashley Young... Young deserves way more credit than he gets on this forum. He's just had a stop-start United career thus far, which makes it easy for people to paint a bad picture of him.
He was already making impressive progress as a Crystal Palace player. United can only speed up that process.
Moyes is brilliant and so far keeping one's word about giving chance to youngsters because someday Januzaj, Zaha or even Lingard will repay the trust if this will continue.
Moyes is brilliant and so far keeping one's word about giving chance to youngsters because someday Januzaj, Zaha or even Lingard will repay the trust if this will continue.
The way he juked the defender before putting in the cross for Lingard's goal was delicious.
His dribbling at speed is impressive, should be very exciting to see how he develops. Could potentially make the right wing his for the best part of a decade.
Didn't see the game. Is he still the new Ronaldo or have we started slagging him off yet?
Erm, neither?
Impossible.
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