Is Ashley Young holding Manchester United back?

Ashley Young

Ashley Young was again, given a great chance to prove his worth to Manchester United (and help lead the Red Devils out of their mini-slump) when he was selected by David Moyes in the club’s starting line-up to take on Shakhtar Donetsk in the UEFA Champions League. Having already qualified for the knockout rounds, there was no pressure on the England international to turn around his poor form through the year so far, but once again, Young tumbled.

Only that this time, there wasn’t a penalty or a reward forthcoming.

The winger started out on the left wing but was substituted after 62 minutes for star striker Robin van Persie. It was somewhat ironic that after that substitution, United would find the back of the net through Phil Jones. That was the somewhat “negative effect” that Young had on United’s attack as he struggled with his finishing, timing and composure in front of goal.

Young saw all three of his shots for the night finish off goal, and truth be told, all three could have found the back of the net. The 28-year-old had a great chance to play through Wayne Rooney in the first-half but opted to lob the goalkeeper instead—a decision that would not have been so problematic had he not missed one of the simpler chances afforded to him all season.

His Individual Heat Map showed just how ineffective he was out on the right wing as he struggled to connect with either Rooney or Shinji Kagawa in the middle of the field.

Even his Pass Map—which might have suggested a strong involvement with just three incomplete passes on the night—shows that Young’s contributions were rarely inside the attacking third and rarely beneficial to United’s attack. Young did not make a single key pass last night. He found the mark with just one of his crosses, but what will no doubt be most alarming for Moyes is the lack of defensive contribution from his winger—registering no tackles or interceptions on the night.

For a team that’s generally struggling to dominate in midfield, that’s an alarming statistic indeed.

Having said all of that, however, there were some positives to take from the fixture for Young, with the biggest being his movement and positional play on the night. Young’s ability to get forward and help in attack has always been one of his biggest strengths, and something that—when he’s finishing well—makes him look like such a dynamic winger.

In fact, the very fact that he’s continuing to put himself in positions to score goals actually shows up his mistakes more than if he was simply sitting back and not getting into attacking areas.

This might seem like little consolation for United fans—especially given the now long-term failings of Young to truly live up to his price-tag—but it’s still a strength.

His Individual Action Areas show just how strong he is at getting forward, and such an image will certainly provide some comfort for Moyes as he seeks to avoid another Premier League defeat this weekend.