Ashley Young: 'I never considered leaving Manchester United'

By Barney Corkhill, EditorPublished: 08 November 2017 10:49 PM

Young: 'I never considered Man Utd exit'

Manchester United full-back Ashley Young insists that he has never considered leaving the club despite speculation linking him with a move to China during the summer.

Manchester United full-back Ashley Young has insisted that he never considered leaving the club despite facing fierce speculation over his future during the summer.

The 32-year-old was understood to have been close to moving to the Chinese Super League during the summer transfer window, but he has since revived his career at Old Trafford by providing an answer for United's problem area of left-back.

Young's form has been rewarded with a place in Gareth Southgate's latest England squad for the friendlies against Germany and Brazil, during which he could make his first international appearance since September 2013.

"A lot's been said about me playing for three different managers at the club. Even the England manager said the other day that I have played for three managers there and they have always believed in me," he told reporters.

"They have always had that trust in me to play - Champions League, Europa League, big derbies. I've always had their trust to play in those games. I think there did come a point last season where I wasn't in the squad, wasn't even making the 18. It was disappointing but I have never thought about leaving the club.

"I've always got that determination, to get back in the squad and get back playing. I've spoken to all three managers at times when there was difficult periods but I have got confidence in myself, confidence in my ability get back in the squad and get back into the team."

Young has actually played under four permanent managers at Old Trafford - Sir Alex Ferguson, David Moyes, Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho - but he was coy when asked whether he purposefully omitted one.