Ashley Young identified one ex-Man Utd manager whose 'style of football' didn't suit club in post-Sir Alex Ferguson era

Ashley Young has admitted that one former Manchester United manager’s “style of football” didn’t suit the Red Devils in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.

The 38-year-old former Manchester United star, who currently plays for Everton, was brought to Old Trafford in 2011 after he was signed from Aston Villa.

Ashley Young played under former United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and was part of the last Red Devils side to lift a Premier League title in 2013.

Following Ferguson’s retirement in 2013, Young continued his career at Old Trafford and played under a further four former United managers.

The former England international was at the Red Devils as the likes of David Moyes, Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho all came and went as United manager.

Young ascended to the captaincy under former United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 2019 before his departure from Old Trafford in 2020.

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Young talks one former Man Utd manager

Ashley Young was on punditry duties for Sky Sports during Manchester United’s 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Crystal Palace on Monday evening.

The former Aston Villa and United star opened up on his time at Old Trafford, including playing under former Red Devils boss Jose Mourinho.

Jose Mourinho arrived at United in 2016 after Louis van Gaal was sacked and enjoyed success during his time in the Old Trafford dugout.

The 61-year-old Portuguese manager, who was sacked by Roma back in January, lifted both a League Cup and a Europa League in his debut season at United.

However, Mourinho met the same fate as former United managers Moyes and Van Gaal when he was dismissed from the Premier League club in 2018.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Young admitted that there was ‘real excitement’ when the ‘Special One’ was initially announced as United manager.

However, the former Inter Milan and Watford player believed that Mourinho’s style of play was not “suited” to the way that United play.

“I think everyone was really excited about Jose coming in,” Young said, as per Goal.

“When you see what he did in his career you thought this is an appointment that could have happened years prior to when it did. I say a little disappointing, as to what was to come.

“You knew Jose from the Chelsea days and then he went to Real and then he’s come back and you see the style of football that’s being played. I don’t think it was a style of football that suited the Manchester United way.”

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Young on Mourinho and Man Utd

Young candidly admitted that United players “could have taken it on a bit more” when it came to Mourinho’s tactical approach at the Red Devils.

However, the former United skipper insisted that “there was too much surrounding the club” amid the aftermath of the Ferguson era at Old Trafford.

When asked if United players discussed Mourinho’s tactics with one another, Young said: “Yeah, of course, players always talk and even then us, as players, we could have taken it on a bit more.

“I think there was too much surrounding the club and at times there were players who had been brought under the boss [Ferguson] it was sink or swim.

“And it was difficult times where I don’t think players gave as much as they could.”

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