Ashley Young has re-joined the Manchester United squad in training, commenting on Instagram: ”The Hard Work Never Stops MUFC”
The England international was in great form for United in pre-season, and Louis van Gaal’s arrival at the club was said to be the reason behind the reinvigorated the 29-year-old wide-midfielder’s form.
However, since Van Gaal dropped the 3-5-2 formation for a diamond midfield, the United midfielder once again looks like a square peg looking for a round hole to fit in.
Full-fitness will only be the start of getting back in the team for Young at United, and he will know that all too well.
He flourished in pre-season whilst operating a full-back role, which was sacrificed when the formation changed. Now he’s left fighting for either one of the three more attacking central midfield places, or perhaps even the left-back spot.
In central midfield, Manchester United have the likes of Di Maria, Mata, Januzaj, Herrera and Carrick as options, while at left-back Luke Shaw is seen as the long-term answer and could be hard to oust.
Young, if he is to force himself back into the side, will have to prove a lot of critics wrong in the process, and it could prove to be the biggest challenge of his career to date.
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