[ad_pod ]Manchester United have undergone a huge transformation since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took the helm in December, with emphatic results changing from a rarity to an expectation at Old Trafford – as it should be – although the stalemate with Liverpool is surely one of their best yet.If not for an Alisson masterclass, the hosts could have stolen all three points from the league leaders – they kept the Reds’ lethal front three, albeit somewhat broken by the injury sustained by Roberto Firmino in the first half, at bay.A huge part of that was the well-rounded performance of Ashley Young, whose showing has gone under the radar due to Luke Shaw’s domination of Mohamed Salah on the opposite flank.The versatile defender was essential to his side’s creation and even outclassed Paul Pogba in that department, completing a team-high three key passes, owing to his roots as a winger. Also completing an interception and a tackle, the number 18 did his bit in defence as well.The 33-year-old may have been subject to criticism on social media for his showing, especially after a shaky opening to the game, but the stats don’t lie and they indicate that there was far more to his game than perceived.
While he may be well into his twilight years now, the former Aston Villa man will remain, at least, a useful squad player for United as they look to develop the likes of Shaw and Diogo Dalot into consistent starters – his experience in the dressing room is almost unrivalled too and that will surely prove invaluable to the 13-time Premier League champions.
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Of course, his sloppy distribution could have cost his side – the 39-cap international had a passing success rate of just 66% – and it might have done against more clinical opposition, but mistakes are more than likely when playing against a high-pressing Liverpool team.
Young was an effective presence against Liverpool – some of the criticism has been unjustified.
