Man United legend: Why Ashley Young has impressed me

Andy Cole has heaped praise on Ashley Young for the makeshift left-back’s performance in Manchester United’s 2-1 victory over Swansea City on Saturday.

The Red Devils edged into an early second-half lead on Saturday afternoon thanks to Anthony Martial’s goal before Swansea midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson levelled with 20 minutes remaining at Old Trafford.

Under-fire United skipper Wayne Rooney netted a brilliant strike with just over 20 minutes to go to secure the Red Devils’s first Premier League win since 21 November at Watford.

However, Cole, who was part of Sir Alex Ferguson’s treble-winning side in 1999, picked out Young as United’s standout performer in their victory which ended an eight-game winless run.

“Considering he isn’t full-back, Ashley Young has been fantastic,” Cole told Goals on Sunday on Sky Sports.

“If he played further forward, he’d do very well. He isn’t a right-back but he defends very well despite being attacking-minded.”

Young has made two assists in 14 Premier League games so far this season.

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Louis van Gaal’s side are in fifth place in the Premier League table and nine points behind leaders Arsenal ahead of their next top-flight game against Newcastle United at Old Trafford on 12 January.