Why Young Is Vital To United

Jose Mourinho confirmed on transfer deadline day Ashley Young will remain at Manchester United and that is excellent news for the club, both on and off the pitch.

The 31-year-old had been linked with a move away from Old Trafford due to his lack of playing time this season, having registered nine appearances in all competitions to date. Mourinho even admitted a transfer could happen when he spoke to the media on Sunday following the FA Cup win over Wigan Athletic.

But, on Tuesday, as he addressed the press at the Aon Training Complex, the manager was happy to report Young is staying at United to provide an option until the end of the season at least, which he feels is particularly important following the recent departure of Morgan Schneiderlin and Memphis Depay.

As the Reds are still competing in four competitions, there could yet be up to 30 fixtures left to play and that will naturally require a strong, robust, rotatable squad. Furthermore, Young’s ability to play on either flank in both defence and midfield makes him an invaluable asset to the manager in times of need.

Fans continually admire and respect his unselfish willingness to play for the team, particularly throughout last season when he excelled as an auxiliary left-back in the absence of Luke Shaw. He even dutifully fulfilled two requests to play as a lone striker, firstly in difficult circumstances at Tottenham Hotspur's White Hart Lane and when he bagged a goal in the rearranged game versus Bournemouth at Old Trafford.

Earlier this campaign, following September's 3-1 defeat at Watford, Mourinho notably told the media that his players should watch and learn from Young's approach to hard work. "At 10:30 in the morning, we have a training session and we have to be there," he said. "They have to work, they have to show themselves with a certain kind of attitude towards negative moments. I show them, as an example, Ashley Young who was, in my opinion, phenomenal with his attitude, positivity and determination."

More words of praise followed October's 0-0 draw at Anfield, where Young impressed on his first Premier League start of 2016/17. "I am probably most happy with Ashley Young's situation," the boss said. "To perform like he did tonight, it is only possible because it is phenomenal the way he trains."

But it is not just Young’s quality that renders his retention beyond January so vital. Now in his sixth season with United, the former Watford and Aston Villa man has become an integral pillar of the dressing room, adopting a role that has previously been fulfilled by the likes of Darren Fletcher and Patrice Evra.

An immensely popular figure among the squad, players often discuss how Young keeps morale high and educates newcomers on the core values of the club. While that may sound a little sentimental, or over-emotional, you cannot underestimate the worth of experience and familiarity in times of change.

The summer of 2014 is perhaps testament to that after Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and the aforementioned Evra all left the club in quick succession, with Ryan Giggs also hanging up his boots. That meant an already transitioning squad suddenly lost 2,097 appearances and 82 collective winners’ medals.

Mourinho seemingly knew the importance of retaining such experience when he made Michael Carrick’s one-year contract extension one of his top priorities upon taking over as United manager in June. The retention of another impeccably reliable and successful professional in Young carries just as much worth.

Yes, his influence on the field hinges on selection, but Ashley Young's effect in the dressing room does not and it is behind the scenes where his stay continues to be an invaluable commodity.

The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and should not be considered as representative of Manchester United Football Club.

Credit: Manutd.com