4 Manchester United players who had a stellar FIFA World Cup 2018

#3 Ashley Young

A year ago, had anyone proclaimed that Ashley Young of all people would be one of the stand-out performers of the English team and would be their preferred left back, it would have generated a lot of laughs. Yet, the Manchester United winger turned left back had a fantastic World Cup. He had rejuvenated himself under Jose Mourinho last season, taking his manager’s challenge to remodel his game as a left back and had excelled at the position for United. And he had carried that form into the England Team, securing his position and leaving Danny Rose on the bench. Young played 5 games, 462 minutes in total and covered 47.9Kms. He even had 2 attempts at goal, with one of them on target. He attempted 194 passes, completing 160 of them. He attempted 17 crosses, 12 deliveries into the penalty area and also had 1 dribble into the penalty area. He was strong defensively too, with 4 tackles, 18 recovered balls and 5 clearances. He committed 4 fouls, but also suffered 3.

Young complimented the attacking English side well, adjusting himself to the role of a wingback in Southgate’s system and never looked out of place. In fact, in his absence, the team had looked vulnerable. The only concern was that he lost his legs as the game wore on, getting tired and ultimately being substituted. But this is understandable for a player who is entering or is already in the twilight of his career. Mourinho cannot use him as frequently as he did last season and it remains to be seen whether, in the case that Alex Sandro does not arrive, Luke Shaw would finally step up. Young would be a terrific mentor to look up to for the young Englishman.