Young targets 20th title with United

NEW Manchester United signing Ashley Young is already targeting the club’s 20th league title after agreeing a five-year deal at Old Trafford.

The England international, 26 next month, completed a move worth up to £20 million (€22.5m), from Aston Villa yesterday. He becomes United’s second signing of the summer, following Blackburn’s England Under-21 international Phil Jones after he was signed for £16.5m (€18.5m) almost a fortnight ago.

“The opportunity to come and play for one of the biggest clubs in the world is one I couldn’t turn down,” Young said. “It’s a chance to hopefully become part of the history by helping to win the 20th title.

“It’s a prospect I always looked at from being a child — to play for one of the biggest clubs in the world. I’ve got that opportunity now so I’ve just got to take it with two hands.”

Manager Alex Ferguson will hope Young can play a key role as he begins overhauling the squad which won a record 19th title in May.

The forward scored 39 goals in 193 appearances but, significantly, in the last five Barclays Premier League seasons only Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas has provided more assists.

The retirements of midfielder Paul Scholes, right-back Gary Neville and goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar left huge holes in terms of experience while other exits — such as defender Wes Brown — are expected. Injury-plagued Owen Hargreaves’ release this summer freed up another place in the squad.

And next on the manager’s list is to find a replacement for Van der Sar, with Atletico Madrid goalkeeper David De Gea likely to be the one to fill that key position.

United have been linked with both Udinese winger Alexis Sanchez — although Barcelona still seem favourites to clinch that deal —– and Inter Milan midfielder Wesley Sneijder.