Ashley Young - Rising from the ashes

If you asked people what they thought of Ashley Young before the start of this season, they'd reply with one word.

“Diver”

In fact, most opposition fans would still say that now. However, the England international has had somewhat of a career renaissance in the first half of the 2017/18 season, in a completely new position on the field.

Moving backwards from being a winger to a full-back can be one of the toughest transitions in football. Reigning yourself in from a role that, especially in the modern game, allows you to somewhat shirk your defensive responsibilities to being forced back every single time the team loses position.

In fact, many felt that he was just a placeholder. He’d performed the role for Louis van Gaal when needed but never looked completely comfortable, defending not coming naturally for someone who’s always been a creative footballer.

But luckily for him, he had the perfect example on the opposite flank in Antonio Valencia. The Ecuadorian has gone from wide man to arguably the best right-back in the league and even vice-captain of the club because of his determination to adapt to survive.

Unlike Valencia, Young didn’t have the physical frame to help his transition. He still had the speed to catch up with opponents but he never had the advantage of being built like a small tank to bully opponents like the former Wigan man.

Instead, he had to learn to time tackles, find the right angles and positions, basically learning how he would have stopped his younger self. It took time, there were some silly moments and plenty called for him to be moved on until all of a sudden, it all clicked.

This season has truly been a renaissance for him and he’s actually proven his great diversity. Starting at left-back, the team morphed into a different unit before Christmas and he was switched to a wing-back role.

That, everyone, was a match made in heaven.

Offered the opportunity to be more adventurous going forward and being the only genuine wide option on that side of the field, it seemingly unleashed the shackles off him. He now knew how to track back and defend but he was now actively encouraged to be a big part in the final third too.

The prime example of that was his incredible performance against Watford. Many will remember the two goals he scored, both were proof of him winding back the years, but he was also defensively sound when he needed to be.

He completely neutralised the threat down the left-hand side, countered superbly and showed the vast experience he has by helping control the game, especially in the first half. In a tough game away from home, he looked more comfortable than ever.

An injury has curtailed his recent rise and with Luke Shaw aptly performing with him on the sidelines, it’s a little strange to think that he won’t be immediately raised back into the first team. Shaw is younger, has still got plenty of potential and could hold down that position for another decade.

Unfortunately, at 32, Young does not have that kind of time.

Regardless of that and what might come next, this first half of a season was a swift reminder to those that had forgotten over the years of being taunted as a dramatist. There’s a reason why he’s an England international, why he rose through the ranks and why he’s been through four different managers at one of the biggest clubs in the world and still gets played.

It’s because he’s good. You might not believe it, but this season Ashley Young has absolutely proven it.