Manchester United veteran never gave up on England recall

Manchester United veteran Ashley Young says there has never been a point in the last four years where he gave up on his England career.

Young’s last England appearance came as a substitute in a 0-0 draw against Ukraine in October 2013 and his international career seemed behind him ever since.

The 32-year-old has struggled for regular playing time at United since then and has been linked with a move away in almost every single transfer window that has followed.

However, Young’s persistence has paid dividends this season as he is now United’s first choice left-back and his impressive displays have given him an outside chance of making the 2018 World Cup.

Despite the fact Young has rarely been in contention for England since his last appearance, the versatile United defender insists he has never considered his international career to be over.

“I’ve showed I deserve to be in the squad,” The Daily Mail quote Young as saying on Wednesday. “But it’s not just that, it’s being in the team. I want to play every game.

“The World Cup is a long way away, but every England player wants to be in the World Cup.

“I never once shut the door on England or thought the door was shut on myself. When you have the chance to represent your country it’s an honour to pull on an England shirt.

“That’s why I will never retire until my legs tell me I can’t run any more. I’m delighted to be back.”

Young has been particularly impressive for United in the Champions League this season. In fact, only Paris Saint-Germain’s Layvin Kurzawa (7.97) has a higher WhoScored rating than Young (7.74) of all left-backs in the competition.