Manchester United skipper Ashley Young has come under massive criticism for the role he played in Crystal Palace's opening goal. Fans on social media have labeled a moment of indecisiveness on the part of the Englishman as what cost the Red Devils a successive Premier League clean sheet.
The Old Trafford outfit first established a two-goal lead via Romelu Lukaku's brace but saw its leading position threatened after Joe Ward pulled one back for Palace. The defender met a cross from Jeffery Schlup in the 66th-minute with a diving header.
Nonetheless, the opportunity would not have presented itself had Wilfred Zaha not battled Ashley Young for the ball to keep the move going. The full-back got hold of the ball following a failed counter-attacking move by the host but his reluctance to clear the ball out of his area resulted in him losing possession.
Young subsequently vindicated himself by smashing home a pass from Paul Pogba to restore Manchester United's two-goal cushion in the 83rd-minute.
Ashley Young makes way too many defensive mistakes
— DILLINGER (@DillanMUFC) February 27, 2019
Zaha has Ashley Young on spin cycle! I'd put Dalot there and get Chong on rw
— Mark Goldbridge (@markgoldbridge) February 27, 2019
JOEL WARD! Palace get one back! But it was superb from Zaha to destroy Ashley Young's dreams pic.twitter.com/tcaoet1wAm
— Five Year Plan (@FYPFanzine) February 27, 2019
Ashley Young trying to be cute and screwing it up. Needs to go after next season. #MUFC #CRYMUN
— sgRedDevil (@AdiiUnited) February 27, 2019
That was a goal that was down to poor defending. Started with Ashley Young.
— Isiah Madrigal (@Realisiah1) February 27, 2019
What does Ashley Young bring to this Team to be Captain and what does he bring to this team to play each game??? #CRYMUN
— Aaron Flynn (@Flynnzer89) February 27, 2019