Premier League 
/ Maxliu / 23 June 2011 / 1 Comments 
Bettors shouldn't underestimate the impact Young could make
"Signing Young should consolidate United's [3.0] title favouritism. It also makes them a good bet [10.0] in the Champions League."
Manchester United have signed Ashley Young from Aston Villa for around £15 million. Max Liu explains why the winger could turn out to be a very important acquisition for the Premier League champions.
Chelsea have appointed a new manager and Manchester United have signed Ashley Young. Of the week's two developments, which will have the biggest impact on the 2011/12 title race? Most people will surely choose the former but I have a feeling that it could be the latter.
I dug Andre Villas-Boas' bluster-less first press conference and, if his Porto side were anything to go by, Roman Abramovich may finally get the attacking football that he craves. I want the new boss to succeed because, for me, supporting another team never gets in the way of a good story. Villas Boas is a good story and if he wins the title or the Champions League he will be an even better one.
But thirty-three is too young. Predictably, he's hailed as the new Special One but, when Jose Mourinho arrived at Stamford Bridge, he was a good deal older and had won the Champions League as well as the UEFA Cup. Mike Norman has already written about this, but the Chelsea squad needs a dramatic overhaul and an injection of youth. I wouldn't touch that [3.75] title price or [8.6] in Europe.
Mike says Villas-Boas could build a team round transfer target Joao Moutinho which suggests that this could be a transitional season for the Blues. Will Roman Abramovich tolerate the 't' word? The fact that Chelsea launched a bid for Luka Modric last week, while managerless, shows who's in charge at Chelsea. What odds will you give me on Villas-Boas still being at Stamford Bridge this time next year?
As for United, signing Young should consolidate their [3.0] title favouritism. It also makes them a good bet [10.0] in the Champions League. I'm not saying Young is a definitive signing who's going to set Europe alight, but these type of acquisitions can prove pivotal.
There's a historical precedent. In 2006, Manchester United hadn't won the title for four years. Chelsea ruled the Prem while both Arsenal and Liverpool had reached Champions League finals. United were failing to draw players to Old Trafford , losing out on the likes of Arjen Robben, Michaels Essien and Ballack. The Red Devils had, as a colleague observed in those dark days following Roy Keane's sacking, "No midfield."
Fans expected Sir Alex to spend big throughout the squad. But he made only one significant signing: Michael Carrick for £18 million from Spurs. The midfielder was clearly cultured but few expected him to put United back on their perch. In the event, they won the next three league titles, reached two Champions League finals, winning in 2008.
Carrick was no talisman but he balanced the midfield and allowed those around him to thrive: Cristiano Ronaldo, who had promised much but underachieved, became one of the best players in the world; Paul Scholes rediscovered his attacking game and Nemanja Vidic acquired confidence and learned the English game with a more authoritative midfield in front of him. The signing of Carrick was one of Ferguson's quieter revolutions but it ushered in a glorious period.
Like Carrick, Young, who managed 39 goals in 190 appearances for Villa, will be asked to score more. But his versatility, speed and directness will be an important element in a changing attack. Dimitar Berbatov - [1.5] to leave - has no place in this new frontline as Ferguson opts for fluidity in his bid to assemble a team capable of beating Barcelona. Contrary to what we saw at Wembley, he might be closer to that aim than many people think. The signing of Young could be a subtle yet crucial piece in that jigsaw.
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