New Manchester United signing Ashley Young could end up being the striker signing Sir Alex Ferguson has been seeking.
The Independent says Young is generally characterised as a replacement for Ryan Giggs and the player whose arrival gives Luis Nani cause to worry for his future. But that's not how Gérard Houllier saw it at Aston Villa. Houllier discerned as soon as arriving at Villa Park last summer that Young operated better behind the main striker.
Asked about Martin O'Neill's perception that Young could potentially be one of the best left-wings in Europe, Houllier replied: "No. He can play on the wing. Whether he can be one of the best in the world in that position... I think he can be one of the best in another position."
Last month Fabio Capello agreed that Young is best deployed centrally, "not left-wing or right wing".
The growing consensus in football is that Young operates best there.
