adminMANCHESTER. — Ashley Young believes Juan Mata’s arrival has taken competition for places to another level at Manchester United as the English soccer champions prepare to visit Stoke. Mata, who joined from English Premier League rivals Chelsea for £37.1 million earlier this month, made his debut for United in the 2-0 win over Cardiff on Tuesday.That match saw Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney return from injury lay-offs, and both will be in contention for a place at the Britannia Stadium today. It would mean United’s star strikers starting together for just the eighth time in 24 Premier League matches this season. The availability of the three players means other places in the front four are sure to be squeezed.
England winger Young, who will be battling with Adnan Januzaj, Antonio Valencia and Danny Welbeck for the last spot in manager David Moyes’s strongest side, said: “You have to be on the ball. You have to put in big performances every week. We have a big squad and we can rotate the team.
“When you are playing well, getting goals and assists, you are there in the manager’s thoughts,” added the 28-year-old, who scored United’s second goal against Cardiff following Dutch striker van Persie’s sixth-minute opener at Old Trafford on Tuesday.
“We have competition for places and that keeps you on your toes. You want to keep playing well and training well, because that is the only way to keep yourself in the team,” Young explained. — AFP.
Online Reporter