The good times are coming back to Old Trafford. A return to the Champions League was the reward of a £149 million spending spree by Louis Van Gaal last summer, but it was the re-emergence of one of England and Manchester United's forgotten talents that was one of the biggest success stories to emerge from LVG's maiden campaign.
Ashley Young enjoyed a storming start to his United career after joining from Aston Villa for a fee close to £20 million, popping up with eight goals in his debut season and then becoming a key cog of Sir Alex Ferguson's final title-winning team. Young was one of many United players who suffered a lapse in form when David Moyes pitched up for an ill-fated stint at Old Trafford before rediscovering his verve as a disciplined wing back for much of last season under the tutelage of Van Gaal.
As we enter another Premier League season, Young is now one of the senior players at United and enjoys his status as a fan favourite – both in and out of the dressing room. Ask anyone who's played with Young and they'll readily admit that the 30-year-old has exactly the right blend of hunger, charisma and humour to be a success in any dressing room.
As adidas unveiled the Red Devil's new away kit for 2015/16, Manchester United and England mainstay Ashley Young joined us in Brixton to talk about Old Trafford new boys, his love of basketball and his matchday soundtrack.
Interview:@CoreyPellatt / Photography :@postelliot
It’s been a busy summer again at Old Trafford, of all the players to have arrived this summer, who’s made the biggest impact on the dressing room?
I think Basti (Schweinsteiger) is a character. Obviously if you look at his history and what he’s won, he’s a massive character to come into the dressing room but he’s also non-stop messing about, he’s funny. He’s much like the type of character that I am myself.
Since you’ve been at United, which new signing have you been most excited by?
I think every signing is something to be excited. There’s not one player that’s arrived who you’re more excited about, every player that signs for the club…you’re always excited to see them in training, see them in a game and work alongside them.
Aside from football, what other sports do you follow?
I follow tennis and I actually went to Wimbledon during the summer, and it was nice to get a day off during pre-season to watch it. Basketball as well, I don’t have a team it’s just a casual interest – especially when the play-offs come around and the intensity rises.
It's usually a funky house thing...I've not had any complaints so I'm sure the music I play is alright."
Are you happy with your stats on FIFA 15?
Everyone wants to be a little bit better, everyone always wants more! They’re alright but I think everything could be better, we’re only a few weeks away from the new one so I’ll guess we’ll find out.
I understand you’re the man in charge of the strereo at Old Trafford, what’s the matchday soundtrack?
It’s a mix, depends how we feel on the day but it’s usually a house or funky house thing. I’ve not had any complaints so I’m sure the music I play is alright.
Do you take requests from any other players?
Nah, no suggestions. I take full control.
Who was in charge of that job before you?
It was Patrice Evra, he was the one. I wanted to take over when he was there but he was the senior man so I let him off.
Did you have any initiation songs or tasks to complete when you joined United?
I had a few questions to answer actually, I can’t remember what the questions were now – it was so longer – but there’s all sorts of stuff. You can either have questions from someone, do a speech yourself or sing a song.
Anything embarrassing come from that?
I can’t remember, no comment (laughs).
Who’s the most intimidating player you’ve ever played with?
Played with? There’s been a few, to be honest. Wazza, Scholesy, Giggsy…they’ve all got that presence about them when they’re on the pitch and off the pitch. As a team mate you want to do as well as you can and not be on their receiving end.
What keeps you busy on away trips?
Making music playlists for the next day or watching TV series. I’ve been watching Power, I’ve been hooked on it…
Basti is a character...he's non-stop messing about, much like myself."
Do you watch that by yourself or on your own?
Nah, by myself but there’s quite a few other people that watch it as well so it gives us something to talk about. We’ve got to be careful what we say though because not everyone has caught up yet.
Do you have any souvenirs from your career?
There’s been shirts that I’ve swapped and some that I’ve kept. The first shirt of every season is one that I keep and I’ve got the shirt from the first time we won the league. The last game we played was West Brom away so it was nice to keep that and get it signed by the boys, it’s up in my house.
If you could relive one moment of your career so far, what would it be?
I think winning the league. It’s every boy’s dream to grow up and win the league and for me to do it at such a big club was fantastic.
Who’s got the biggest trainer collection at Old Trafford?
It’s probably Mephis now. He goes on a lot about his sneakers, his trainers, so I’d say he’s got the biggest collection.
I was going to ask who’s the biggest joker in the dressing room but we’re pretty sure it’s you…
A lot of people have said myself but everyone chips in when the jokes and banter are flying about. I think there’s more in my corner [of the changing room] with myself and Wazza being the main ones.
Finally, Drake or Meek Mill?
Drake…obviously.
