When star winger Cristiano Ronaldo left Manchester Unite in 2009 many doom mongerers predicted that United’s attacking flair and chief match winner had gone with him.
The theory went that with Ronaldo gone, opposing teams could focus their efforts on stopping Wayne Rooney and the Red Devils would become more predictable.
The optimistic United fans believed that the natural successor for Ronaldo would be fellow Portuguese winger Nani. Nani not only plays for the same national team as Ronaldo, he also is a product of Sporting Club de Portugal.
The pair also share a love for fancy tricks and an occasional temper tantrum. It was believed that after a year or two of maturing Nani would eventually replicate Ronaldo and become a match winning force from a wide attacking position.
However, in the early stages of this season, the performances of Nani have been put in the shade by the man on the opposite flank. England winger Ashley Young joined United from Aston Villa in the summer and has started the season like a house on fire.
On the opening day, Young found himself in possession out wide as time ticked down, and produced a piece of match winning skill when he forced a West Brom own goal and handed the Red Devil’s a 2-1 win.
Young then registered two goals and tree assist’s as United dismantled Arsenal 8-2 at Old Trafford.
In addition to his fantastic start to the season at club level, a convincing argument can be made for Young being the England national team’s best player over their last few games.
Earlier this year Young scored the winner as England won 2-1 in Denmark, before winning a penalty that set England on the way to a Euro 2012 Qualifying win in Wales.
United winger Young was surprisingly benched by Fabio Capello for the home qualifier against Switzerland, but came off the bench to score the equalizer in a 2-2 draw.
In the previous week, Young was again at the fulcrum of England’s attack. He set up United teammate Wayne Rooney to score during the 3-0 win in Bulgaria, and netted the decisive goal as the Three Lions beat Wales 1-0.
It was argued by many that Young put pressure on himself when he joined Manchester United and immediately took the number 18 shirt recently vacated by club legend Paul Scholes.
Young has lived up to that pressure and is providing an exciting attacking force that the Old Trafford faithful already love. He is outplaying Nani so far this season, and is forming part of what could be the most potent United attack of the Sir Alex Ferguson, better even than when Ronaldo played in red.
The optimistic United fans believed that the natural successor for Ronaldo would be fellow Portuguese winger Nani. Nani not only plays for the same national team as Ronaldo, he also is a product of Sporting Club de Portugal.
The pair also share a love for fancy tricks and an occasional temper tantrum. It was believed that after a year or two of maturing Nani would eventually replicate Ronaldo and become a match winning force from a wide attacking position.
However, in the early stages of this season, the performances of Nani have been put in the shade by the man on the opposite flank. England winger Ashley Young joined United from Aston Villa in the summer and has started the season like a house on fire.
On the opening day, Young found himself in possession out wide as time ticked down, and produced a piece of match winning skill when he forced a West Brom own goal and handed the Red Devil’s a 2-1 win.
Young then registered two goals and tree assist’s as United dismantled Arsenal 8-2 at Old Trafford.
In addition to his fantastic start to the season at club level, a convincing argument can be made for Young being the England national team’s best player over their last few games.
Earlier this year Young scored the winner as England won 2-1 in Denmark, before winning a penalty that set England on the way to a Euro 2012 Qualifying win in Wales.
United winger Young was surprisingly benched by Fabio Capello for the home qualifier against Switzerland, but came off the bench to score the equalizer in a 2-2 draw.
In the previous week, Young was again at the fulcrum of England’s attack. He set up United teammate Wayne Rooney to score during the 3-0 win in Bulgaria, and netted the decisive goal as the Three Lions beat Wales 1-0.
It was argued by many that Young put pressure on himself when he joined Manchester United and immediately took the number 18 shirt recently vacated by club legend Paul Scholes.
Young has lived up to that pressure and is providing an exciting attacking force that the Old Trafford faithful already love. He is outplaying Nani so far this season, and is forming part of what could be the most potent United attack of the Sir Alex Ferguson, better even than when Ronaldo played in red.
