‘Biggest and best competition’: Manchester United’s Ashley Young ready to take on Europe’s best once again

Playing in the Uefa Champions League became a staple part of Young’s life during his first three seasons at Old Trafford but last year he had to do without thanks to the club’s seventh-placed finish under David Moyes.

Manchester United midfielder Ashley Young celebrates scoring the opening goal of the English Premier League match against Newcastle at St James Park on March 4, 2015. AFP PHOTO / IAN MACNICOL

Ashley Young is looking forward to playing in the Uefa Champions League again after being forced to watch the best club competition in the world from his sofa last year.

Playing in the Champions League became a staple part of Young’s life during his first three seasons at Old Trafford.

The 30-year-old played in Manchester United’s second-round defeat to Real Madrid in 2013 and then in the quarter-final loss to Bayern Munich the following season, but last year he had to do without thanks to the club’s seventh-placed finish under David Moyes.

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Young admitted it was not a pleasant experience watching United’s rivals face some of the best clubs in Europe from the comfort of his living room.

“I sat at home and watched it with my family last year so I am obviously glad to be back in it again,” the United winger said on the eve of Tuesday’s group stage game against PSV Eindhoven.

“It’s the biggest and best competition.

“That disappointment of not being involved was always in the back of my mind when I watched the games.

“I did miss it. I don’t think there is a player in the squad who didn’t.

“It was disappointing not to be in it, but that is in the past now and we are looking forward to the game on Tuesday and hopefully also getting back to winning ways in the Champions League.”

Young was expected to follow Moyes out of Old Trafford in the summer of 2014, but much to everyone’s surprise, he became one of Van Gaal’s most-trusted men last season.

The former Aston Villa player started at wing-back before moving further up field later in the campaign when Van Gaal ditched his ineffective 3-4-1-2 formation.

Young set up five goals and scored two - one of which was a crucial late winner at Newcastle.

He signed a new three-year contract on the eve of the season, but has only started one game since, with Van Gaal preferring Memphis Depay and Juan Mata on the flanks.

Van Gaal could bring Young in for Depay on Tuesday, as he did at half-time during the Liverpool game, or the England winger could provide his manager with an alternative option up front in Wayne Rooney’s absence.

“If the manager wants me to play there (up front), then yes, of course I would,” Young said.

“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.

“I think he does know I’ve played there. He has said it to me before, but it is down to him.”

Young holds nothing against Van Gaal for keeping him out of the team for six of the first seven games.

“Every player in the squad wants to be in the starting XI and I am not different,” said Young, who won the free-kick that led to United’s opener against Liverpool.

“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 per cent.

“I have always said that it is good to have competition for places and we have that in abundance in the squad.”

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