A run of six straight wins in the Premier League not only has Manchester United within touching distance of securing Champions League qualification but has also seen them leapfrog rivals Manchester City in the table leaving them just one point off second place.
Not many would have predicted that outcome when they slumped to a disappointing defeat to Swansea back in February; with a difficult run of fixtures leaving their top-four hopes in the balance.
But things have finally clicked for the Red Devils over the past month, and impressive wins over Tottenham, Liverpool and City have really emphasised the clubs great upturn in form and it finally looks like manager Louis van Gaal has found his perfect system and his strongest team.
And surprisingly one player who has been key to their success over recent weeks and found himself an unlikely hero at Old Trafford is Ashley Young.
Like many around him; Young endured a frustrating season under David Moyes and was one of the players who came under fire following the clubs worst Premier League campaign. His future was in some doubt and it was questioned whether he was good enough to still warrant a place in the United squad.
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However with the faith entrusted in him by Van Gaal, Young has hit back at his critics with some brilliant performances to ensure he is now a regular in the starting 11 and there is even talk about a new contract. A wonderful turnaround considering his situation last season.
You’d have found it hard to believe the 29-year-old would be keeping record signing Angel di Maria on the sidelines, but another great display against City on Sunday vindicated Van Gaal’s decision.
The winger put in a man-of-the-match performance scoring a vital equaliser to get his side back in the game, before two pin point crosses saw him pick up two assists as Marouane Fellaini and Chris Smalling both got on the scoresheet.
On this form it’s not only impossible for the manager to leave him out but also looks like it’s time for Roy Hodgson to reignite the midfielder’s international career. The England boss was at Old Trafford to witness Young’s performance last weekend and must have been impressed with what he saw.
The former Villa man is uncapped since September 2013, but showing the kind of form that saw him seal a move to United means he has to be in Hodgson’s plans heading into the summer and a friendly against the Republic of Ireland.
A top four finish would be most welcome for the Red half of Manchester and would constitute a good season following last year’s pain. But the fact they can go into the last six games aiming for second place is a remarkable turnaround that the players and manager deserve credit for, and will no doubt give them confidence of even greater things next season.
And Ashley Young is one who deserves plenty of plaudits for helping the club into this position thanks to some inspired performances with the winger clearly enjoying his football again. Nobody could have foreseen just how important he would become for United this season, but he is now a key part of the team. When you’re keeping a world class player like Di Maria out of the side; you know you must be doing something right.
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