Ashley Young exclusive: Why I snubbed more money at City to join United
Published 21:31 16/12/11 By James Nursey
(3)England midfielder Young was the subject of a bidding war for his services this summer, when he left Aston Villa in a £16million transfer.
He eventually penned a five-year deal worth £130,000-a-week at the champions, after being offered even more cash to go to City.
Young insists he has not wondered, even for a second, if he made the wrong choice, even though City are currently topping the Premier League, two points above of second-placed United.
Asked about City's interest, Young replied: "That's true, but as soon as I heard about Manchester United there was no other club for me.
"It's Manchester United. They are the biggest club in the world, and I think if you ask anyone who they want to play for the majority will say: 'Man United.'
"The fan base, the team and what they have won in the past is [all] amazing.
"I want to be part of that - and be able to bring the title back to United again and make history with a 20th.
"I feel I have settled straight away into the team, which for a club the size of Manchester United isn't easy.
"But I believe in my ability and feel it was easy to fit in, especially as I know some of the boys and the team spirit they have."
Sir Alex Ferguson's side visit promoted QPR on Sunday, and have another away game in London at Fulham on Wednesday.
They then have back-to-back home games against strugglers Wigan (Boxing Day) and Blackburn (New Year's Eve).
Young is hoping the festive fixtures enable United to turn up the heat on their bitter rivals City.
He added: "I do believe we can win the title. We are this side of Christmas and have many games to play and points to play for.
"If we keep up the form we have shown from the start of the season, then I am sure we will be able to retain that title.
"There are going to be a lot of games to look forward to and we have to keep ourselves fresh and go into games confident.
"The manager instils that and we go out there and enjoy it."
United have recently suffered a shock loss in the Carling Cup at home to Championship side Crystal Palace and humiliatingly exited the Champions League at the group stages with defeat by Basel.
But Young, capped 18 times by England, insists United's mental strength has not been affected, after they responded to those setbacks with a 4-1 home win over Wolves last weekend.
"The manager has said, 'It has happened before.' It is now the way we bounce back and if you look at the Wolves game, the way the team played was brilliant from the first whistle to the last.
"We know we are going to have a lot of tough games coming up but that is the form we need to keep showing."
United have also had to absorb the news that captain and centre-back Nemanja Vidic will miss the the rest of the season after rupturing a cruciate ligament in his knee against Basel.
Brazilian midfielder Anderson is also on the sidelines with a long-term knee injury, while midfielder Darren Fletcher has just announced he is taking time out from the game because he has ulcerative colitis - a chronic bowel condition.
But Young still believes United have the squad to cope with the adversity.
"Anderson, Fletch and Vida are out now. That is a disappointment," he said. "As a player in the squad, when anyone gets injured or is ill you want to send your best wishes.
"But there are still many other international players at the club."
Young, who has three United goals to his name already, reckons he is thriving on the intense competition for places at Old Trafford.
He said: "The club has got a massive squad with great players and you always have to be on your toes and know players can come in and take your place.
"Right throughout the squad there are world-class players and people playing for their countries whenever called upon so there is great competition for places.
"You always have it in the back of your mind you have to be on top of your game.
"The manager told me it was going to be a challenge here and, of course, itisa challenge - it is everyone's cup final to play against Manchester United.
"It is also always tough to go out there week in, week out and perform but you have to whether in training or on match day."
Young has risen to the challenge. Now United must do the same to see off the threat of City.
* Courtesy of Base Soccer Agency
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