Ashley Young was one of the players name-checked by Roy Keane when the ex-Manchester United captain delivered his stinging assessment of their Champions League failure.

Along with Phil Jones and Chris Smalling, Keane believed Old Trafford’s latest generation had been given a reality check after initially being lauded.

It was hard to argue with the Irishman’s criticism as United were humbled in a ‘gimme’ of a group in a tournament in which they’ve graced three of the last four finals.

Likewise, it was difficult not to agree with Sir Alex Ferguson’s assertion that he is presiding over the most talented group of young players since Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and David Beckham emerged.

The Champions League proved too unforgiving for a squad decimated by injury and shorn of the experience of Scholes, Gary Neville, Edwin van der Sar, John O’Shea and Wes Brown from the previous season.

But in keeping pace with leaders City at the top of the table, Ferguson’s side have cushioned that crushing disappointment in Europe.

And in recent wins against City, Arsenal and Liverpool, as well as coming back from three goals down to earn a draw at Chelsea, United’s starlets have gone a long way to answering Keane’s criticism.

They got their Europa League campaign off to a winning start at Ajax on Thursday night, with Young scoring the opening goal in the 2-0 first leg victory in Amsterdam.

It was his first goal since September when he made such a promising start to his United career.

And it continued United’s impressive form since defeat in Basle provoked such consternation from Keane.

“Everyone is entitled to their opinion,” said Young.

“I’ve got to concentrate on my game and do well.

“I think the team has been brilliant throughout the season. There have obviously been blips, but we have the strength of character to bounce back from that.

“I think the boys have done tremendously well in the last few weeks and we showed that especially in the second half against Ajax.

“Obviously it was disappointing to go out of the Champions League, but that is in the past and we’ve got to look forward to this competition now.

“Not many of the players have played in it and we want to win.”

Young and the rest of United’s starlets received glowing praise after a start to the season that saw them come back to beat City in the Community Shield and record league wins against Tottenham, Arsenal and Chelsea.



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However, the 6-1 derby demolition against City in the league, followed by Champions League elimination were sobering blows to a group of players who had only known praise in their tender United careers.

It prompted intense scrutiny on the direction of the club and the players Ferguson had brought in during the summer like Young, Jones and David de Gea.

“You realise from the first time you join the club how much pressure is put on you,” admitted the England international. “And every team wants to beat Man United.

“It’s the biggest team in the world and you always want to beat the big teams. It’s like a cup final for other teams, especially at Old Trafford. So we know there’s always pressure. It’s how you deal with it.

“I’ve enjoyed it a lot here and there is plenty to come. There are plenty of games and points and the Europa League to look forward to.

“I think it is easy to mould yourself into the Man United way of playing. All the players that joined in the summer have been able to do it.

“We have that philosophy of going out to play football and have the confidence to play. That’s what the manager instills in us all.”

Young returned from a knee injury earlier this month after six weeks out.

Along with the returning Tom Cleverley and Jones, Ferguson’s squad is looking as healthy as at any point during the campaign.

It is perfect timing with the title race entering a critical stage and the challenge of the Europa League as well.

The United manager is hoping to make amends for Champions League failure by winning a Premier League and European double.

And Young believes it would take those two trophies to consider the season a triumph.

“Winning the title race and winning this competition is what we would consider a successful season,” he said. “That’s what we’re involved in and that’s what we want to do.

“Every game is going to be a tough game from here. As long as we go out there, concentrate on ourselves and produce the sort of performances that have been coming in the last few weeks – if we take all the positives out of those games then hopefully at the end of the season it will be good enough to win the title.”