Manchester United prepare to face PSV Eindhoven in their opening Champions League group stage clash without captain and forward Wayne Rooney. Having played Felliani up-front at the weekend against Liverpool FC, Ashley Young has offered to play as the striker if Louis van Gaal is willing to put him in there.
United sold Javier Hernandez and Robin van Persie in the summer and chose not to retain Radamel Falcao following a disappointing loan spell from Monaco.
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Instead, they bought Anthony Martial for A?36m from Monaco and handed Wayne Rooney the primary responsibility to play up-front.
With Rooney out injured and Martial yet to make his first team bow, Fellaini was handed the start up-front at the weekend against Liverpool.
Young ready to play as forward
Ashley Young came on at half-time against Liverpool FC for Memphis Depay and won the free-kick that helped his side take the lead.
With Martial the only recognized forward available in the squad, Young has offered to step-up and play as striker, having already done so at his former club Aston Villa.
“If the manager wants me to play there then, yes, of course I would,” he was quoted saying by ESPN FC before the PSV game.
“I can play in lots of positions and I have done that under the manager, whether it is up front or in midfield. Hopefully I can play there [through the middle], but it’s up to the manager and he has to make those decisions.”
Young wants to show van Gaal that he is willing to give 100%
Young has found himself on the bench after the arrival of Depay who has been deployed wide left. However, insisting that he is always willing to give his best, he said:
“It has [been a while] and every player in the squad wants to be in the starting XI and I am no different.
“I want to play as much as I can, but when I am called from the bench as I was against Liverpool, I just want to show the manager that I am ready and willing to give 100 percent.”