Young Wants Repeat Show

Manchester United turned on the style during last weekend’s 4-1 win over champions Leicester City and Ashley Young has called on the players to reproduce a similarly destructive performance in Sunday’s Premier League return against struggling Stoke City. 

The Reds tore apart Claudio Ranieri’s Foxes by scoring four goals in 20 first-half minutes to all but secure the victory by half-time, even though Demarai Gray netted a superb riposte after the break. It was a display of great energy and potency that suggested things are coming together for Jose Mourinho’s team.

“It was an ideal start for everyone on the pitch, on the bench and in the stands,” explained Young, one of three substitutes against Leicester last weekend. “It was one of those days when everything clicked and it was goal after goal. The boys enjoyed it and if we can have more days like that at Old Trafford then it will be fantastic. 

“The atmosphere was electric and the intent from us at the start was to go forward, be on the front foot and not let them play. We knew what their strengths were, we knew what their weaknesses were and we capitalised on that. We got the early goals and the game was over. 

“We are determined to win again against Stoke now, especially going into the international break. We want to get that win and come back feeling fresh. We want to go into the break with a positive frame of mind and on the back of a win. It will be nice to obviously have a performance like we did in the first half against Leicester. We want to take that into this game and we will see what happens.”

Mark Hughes’ Stoke are also determined to secure a positive result following a disappointing start to the league season in which they have recorded two draws and four defeats. While Young is shocked to see the Potters 19th in the table, he says United are only interested in extending their poor form.

“It is surprising,” admitted the versatile winger. “When you see Stoke sides of previous years, you don’t see them around the bottom at this stage of the season. You see them more in the top half. But that is Stoke and we have got to concentrate on ourselves, keep the momentum going, keep the winning feeling and keep the way we are playing forward, attacking football. 

“We want to keep them down there. It is a game and we have got to get three points. We are only concentrating on ourselves.”