Young Targets Winning Run With United

Ashley Young hopes Manchester United's 2-0 triumph over Sunderland can kickstart a winning run in the relentless style the Reds have been renowned for at this stage of the season.

Saturday's victory at Old Trafford provided the ideal response to last week’s defeat to Swansea and, with United’s next match coming as early as Wednesday at Newcastle, Young feels it represents a fine opportunity to build on this weekend’s performance and begin a string of successes.

When quizzed by MUTV on the importance of securing wins towards the tail-end of the campaign, the wide-man replied: “I think it’s vitally important. I think it’s the United way - picking up [lots of] points after the turn of the year.

“We know it’s going to be a tough game on Wednesday away to Newcastle – we’ve always found it tough up there – but as long as we can play in the way we did [against Sunderland] and add to that, then I’m sure we can go on and get three points.”

United’s no.18 was unfortunate not to cap his first start since New Year’s Day with a goal when John O’Shea diverted one of his shots onto the crossbar. Despite this lack of luck, Young was pleased with his inclusion in Louis van Gaal’s line-up and his performance.

The 29-year-old continued: “It would have been nice to get on the scoresheet but he [O’Shea] made a clearance. I don’t know how he managed to hit the bar. I had a few chances and it wasn’t meant to be today but it was a great team performance and we got the three points, which was vitally important.

“As a player, you always want to start games. I'm no different to that, I want to play in every game. Fingers crossed I can stay in the starting line-up and keep putting in performances like I showed today.”

Young was also delighted for double-goalscorer Wayne Rooney, saying the composure shown before he converted the opener typified the skipper’s nature.

“There’d just been a man sent off and he was waiting around for the referee to blow his whistle – that’s when you’ve got to keep your focus,” Young explained. “He kept his cool, kept his focus and slotted it away – that’s Wayne all over. It was a great performance from him today.

“We came out in the second half fully composed; everyone wanted to get on the ball. We got our chance, Wazza scored the penalty and we didn’t look back.”