Source: Team_Talk
Young keen to avoid late shows
Ashley Young has admitted he would rather score earlier than maintain the Manchester United tradition of leaving it late.[LNB] Although not an injury-time effort like the one Nani produced to defeat Manchester City in the Community Shield a week earlier, there was less than 10 minutes on the clock when the Red Devils grabbed their winner at West Brom on Sunday.[LNB]Young's attempt to claim his first United goal seems certain to end in failure given his cross-shot was off target until it struck the unlucky Steven Reid and ended up creeping past Ben Foster.[LNB]More importantly for Young and his team-mates, though, it got the Red Devils' Premier League title defence off to a winning start.[LNB]"I would rather goals came before then," said Young. "But it is always special when goals come late. Then you have to defend the lead, which is what we did.[LNB]"It was always vitally important to get off to a winning start.[LNB]"A lot has been said about our away form last season. If we can build on this result, I am sure we will be out to retain the title again."[LNB]As United only won five times away from Old Trafford last term, they look likely to better that tally already.[LNB]Indeed, it was not until their last visit to the Hawthorns on New Year's Day that Sir Alex Ferguson registered their second away success.[LNB]This season, they appear far more plausible challengers, a fact acknowledged in their status as favourites and virtually unanimous selection to retain the crown.[LNB]Going forward, there is certainly a fluency that has been lacking since Cristiano Ronaldo's departure.[LNB]It was in evidence again on Sunday as Young set up Wayne Rooney for his 12th-minute opener.[LNB]"The team has been doing that throughout pre-season," reflected Young.[LNB]"It was a great team goal. We wanted to capitalise on that and continue our good work but couldn't get that second goal.[LNB]"We were always going to create chances though and eventually we got the winner. I will try to claim it but it is more important to get the three points."
