Young makes flying start as Rooney hits 20-minute hat-trick
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Your support makes all the difference.Ashley Young said that he was "delighted" with the start to his Manchester United career, after two friendlies so far on the club's American tour. Young played in the 7-0 victory over Seattle Sounders on Wednesday night, and spoke of his thrill at being at a club of United's stature.
"I am just delighted to be here and get myself on the pitch," said Young, who joined from Aston Villa last month for £17m. "No disrespect for the Villa boys but as soon as I heard of Manchester United's interest, I just wanted to get the deal done and start training. I can play left, right, off the front striker or as a main striker, so I just have to concentrate on my own game and wherever I am picked, do myself justice. The manager bought me for a reason, to get assists and goals and work hard for the team. If I can do that every time I am selected, my job is done."
The 26-year-old winger has been immediately impressed by the profile of the club in the United States, as gauged by their reception on tour. "This is fantastic for me," Young said. "You come to the United States and see the number of fans outside the hotel every day. It is crazy and just shows how big the club is. For me to be part of that is fantastic."
Young played in the 7-0 defeat of Seattle Sounders, although the man of the evening was Wayne Rooney, who scored a 20-minute hat-trick in the second half.
It was a stellar performance from the player whose name adorned more Premier League shirts than any other sold last season (see panel, below). He overtook Fernando Torres, who led for the last two years, giving United their first leader since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2007/08.
United were only 1-0 ahead when Rooney replaced Michael Owen, the 31-year-old having scored the only goal of the first-half. Mame Biram Diouf made it 2-0 after the re-start, before Rooney's first.
He then scored into the bottom-corner with his left foot. Rooney dummied for Park Ji-Sung's goal, before he completed his hat-trick, turning in Gabriel Obertan's cross after he had first played in the winger. Obertan himself scored the seventh.
10 most wanted shirts
1. Rooney; previous season in brackets (3)
2. Torres (1)
3. Gerrard (2)
4. Hernandez -
5. Van Persie -
6. Lampard (6)
7. Drogba (7)
8. Suarez -
9. Arshavin (5)
10. Giggs -
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