Young Aims For Repeat Outcome

Ashley Young says he is focused on repeating his personal success story of the last 12 months - with a fruitful summer tour leading to a subsequent positive season with Manchester United.

The winger, who has also impressed in a wing-back role, was one of the team's star performers last term after catching the eye in America during Louis van Gaal's first few games in charge. Young’s displays ensured he became an integral figure in the manager's plans and the 30-year-old is determined to maintain that status after similar performances on Tour 2015, presented by Aon.

"When you come on tour you want to do as well as you can and last year I managed to do that and took it into the season,” he told MUTV. “I’m looking to add to what I did last season with the confidence I had, especially in the last few games, and take that into this season. If you have a good pre-season it can only set you off for a good season.

“The team spirit we have is fantastic but everyone is fighting to get into that starting line-up for that first game – you’ve seen that in how high the tempo is in training. There is real competition for places, everyone is pushing each other so you have to give 100 per cent, day in, day out in training and in the games. And when we find out the team for the first game I hope I’m in it!

“We had a good pre-season last year and we wanted to go into the season firing. It wasn’t to be, but this time round we want to start off positively and get winning straightaway,” he added. “We’ve got tough games but there are points to be won and the manager has said he wants to get off to a good start compared to last season and that’s what we want to do.”

Young believes the Reds will be better equipped to do just that following the arrival of four top new signings over the summer, who he says have all taken to life at United in their stride so far.

“The new players are big characters. Matteo [Darmian] is the quiet one out of them but they’ve all fitted in really well. I remember when I first joined - coming on tour and integrating into the squad was great and that’s exactly what they’ve all done and they’ve been welcomed with open arms.

“When you see new signings you’re delighted and you want to help them settle straightaway. It also gives competition for places which you expect at a club like United. Everyone is fighting to be in that starting XI and everyone wants to get back to winning titles and trophies and that’s our aim this season.”