Ashley Young injury adds to United's full-back woes

Manchester United's English midfielder Ashley Young sits on the pitch injured before being substituted during their English Premier League match against Liverpool at Anfield on January 17, 2016. PHOTO | PAUL ELLIS |

What you need to know:

  • Young is to undergo groin surgery after suffering an injury during United's 1-0 win at Liverpool last Sunday.
  • Cameron Borthwick-Jackson is expected to replace Young at left-back against Southampton on Saturday
  • United's recent revival has been centred around Wayne Rooney, who has scored five goals in his last four games.

MANCHESTER

Manchester United are facing further defensive problems, with an injury to Ashley Young prompting a possible move into the January transfer market for manager Louis van Gaal.

Young is to undergo groin surgery after suffering an injury during United's 1-0 win at Liverpool last Sunday.

The former England international, 30, who has performed as a winger and as a full-back for United in recent games, may now miss much of the remainder of the season.

And with Luke Shaw, Antonio Valencia, Marcos Rojo and Phil Jones currently all out injured, van Gaal is running out of options with Matteo Darmian the only fit senior full-back available.

"He (Young) has to have an operation so he will be out for a long time," van Gaal said Friday. "It is not just a month or so but longer and we already have big problems in the full-back positions.

"It's unbelievable. We are not lucky with that."

He added: "I need full-backs. The difficulty is that we ask for a level. We are looking but it is not so easy and nobody can understand that."

Cameron Borthwick-Jackson is expected to replace Young at left-back against Southampton on Saturday, when United will also be without the injured midfield pair of Michael Carrick and Bastian Schweinsteiger.

United have put together an unbeaten five-match run following a four-match streak either side of Christmas to ease the pressure on van Gaal.

That has not stopped speculation regarding the Dutchman's position, following suggestions he may look to end his Old Trafford stay a year early at the end of the season.

United also moved to deny reports that a delegation from the club had met with out-going Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola, who is expected to move to Manchester City before the start of the new season.

Van Gaal dismissed talk over his own position as "not interesting" while he looks to keep United in the hunt for a top-four finish in the Premier League.
"It's for the players. The players play the game," said van Gaal.

"I think the pressure is a little bit gone but it will return if we lose against Southampton. It's always the same pressure for Manchester United.

"We have to win. Our fans are expecting us to win, especially at home."

United's recent revival has been centred around Wayne Rooney, who has scored five goals in his last four games.

Van Gaal acknowledged the United and England captain had played a key role, along with several other players who helped inspire last weekend's vital win at Liverpool with a heated a half-time debate.

"There is a parallel," he added. "I have always said Wayne is important as a player and as a captain. I am very happy with him.

"But there are several players doing that and that's what I want β€” players to be self-responsible."