Young Expects To Have Goal Taken Off Him

Ashley Young has conceded that he expects his first goal for 18 months to be taken off him and instead be recorded as an own goal by Lewis Dunk.

United were struggling to break down a resolute Brighton & Hove Albion side before Young's powerful shot deflected off Dunk and looped past Matthew Ryan in the 66th minute.

The left-back was happier the team claimed the three points to close the gap on Manchester City, who play on Sunday at Huddersfield Town, and accepted he may not yet be off the mark for 2017/18.

“I’m trying to [claim the goal]," he told MUTV. "But it’s been given away as an own goal already. You just have to try to shoot and get it on target but it’s more important to get the three points."

Young's shot may have been going off target before hitting Dunk, even if team-mate Victor Lindelof felt it should go to his colleague. "I think it was Ashley’s goal," he said. "He did good work!"

The England international was more concerned with the upcoming schedule as the busy spell continues for Jose Mourinho's men.

"It was massively important to start the week with a victory, especially when you’re at home. We wanted to get the week off in the right way and we got the three points, when you get three points you’re delighted with it."

If it does officially go down as a Dunk own goal, it will make him the first player in Premier League history to put through his own net against both United and Manchester City in the same season. The victory against Brighton means the Red Devils have gone 39 games in all competitions without defeat at the Theatre of Dreams, last losing to City in September 2016.

United travel to Watford, one of Young's former clubs, on Tuesday night before facing Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium next weekend.