Source: Daily_Mail
Ashley Young put Arsenal love aside to join Manchester United
Ashley Young put aside his boyhood love of Arsenal and his hero worship of Ian Wright in order to join Manchester United.[LNB]The winger is already excelling in his new surroundings, emphasising why Sir Alex Ferguson was prepared to splash out ?18million to snare the 26-year-old from Aston Villa.[LNB]But, ahead of England's friendly with World Cup runners-up Holland, Young has claimed it is not so odd for a Gunners fan to find himself wearing the red of an altogether different set of trophy contenders.[LNB] National duty: Manchester United new boy Ashley Young is in England's squad to face Holland at Wembley[LNB]'Ian Wright was my hero,' he said.[LNB]'But even then, if you asked most kids which team they would like to play for, quite a lot would say Manchester United.[LNB]'People judge me differently because I am at the biggest club in the world.[LNB]'I could tell the difference as soon as I got there.[LNB]'I wanted to go a club where I could win titles and medals and play in the biggest competitions. I have a chance to do that now.'[LNB] Wright on: Gunners legend Ian Wright was Young's boyhood hero[LNB]And Young knows he is not on his own. England Under-21 star Phil Jones also joined United this summer, along with young goalkeeper David de Gea.[LNB]In addition Danny Welbeck and Tom Cleverley have returned from loan spells at Sunderland and Wigan respectively.[LNB]Both the latter men have joined Young in the England squad, following Cleverley's call-up on a day which saw the departures of Jack Wilshere, Frank Lampard and Michael Carrick with various ailments.[LNB]With Chris Smalling also making his way at a club where Wayne Rooney has been an established presence since 2004, there is little wonder it is being suggested Sir Alex Ferguson has pulled together the basis of a team that will lead England into a new era, in much the same way as the famed 'Class of 92'.[LNB] Future vision: Young believes United can provide the bulk of England's team for years to come[LNB]'Maybe it could be the core of a new England team," admitted Young.[LNB]'I am sure the manager has bought players who are coming through in order to add to the youth we already had.[LNB]'After Patrice (Evra) went off (in the Community Shield) I was the oldest player on the pitch at 26.[LNB]'It is nice that the players who are coming through are getting that winning mentality and already have a medal that sets us up for the season.'[LNB] CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE FANTASY FOOTBALL GAMEEngland chaos: Riots put Wembley friendly in doubt as cricketers are locked in hotelCleverley in line for England debut as Lampard joins Wilshere and Carrick on sidelines All the latest Manchester United news, features and opinion [LNB]
