Young: Cheat claims have not affected me ‘one bit’

Ashley Young ia adamant he is not a diving “cheat”.

A public backlash against the 26-year-old was so strong after a couple of high profile incidents, that Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson “had a word” with him about the matter towards the end of the campaign.

Young confirmed he had spoken to Ferguson but refused to reveal whether he had been chastised by his club manager.

He added: “At the end of the day, the referees came to the decisions they did.

“I’m not a cheat. I’m not a diver. I won the penalties. The matter’s been left now.”

Young insisted the abuse he received had not affected him “one bit” as he continued his preparations for England’s European Championship campaign.

The former Aston Villa winger is set to start tonight’s Group D opener against France just off the central striker, with United team-mate Wayne Rooney serving a two-match ban.

Rooney has long been regarded as England’s talisman, but Young is fast assuming a similar mantle having scored five goals in his last seven internationals and having a hand in more than half of England’s last 20 goals.

“I am feeling confident on the back of a few goals and assists,” Young said. A lot of emphasis has been put on me. I thrive on the pressure. I enjoy it.”

“It is an opportunity to run at defenders. That is what I am there to do.”

That is exactly what Rooney did at Euro 2004 eight years ago, with Young hoping to do the same at what is also his first major tournament.

Asked if his suspended team-mate had given him any advice, he added: “We all talk to each other. If you have something to say, whether you are a youngster or a senior, you say it.”

He added of the Hodgson regime: “The organisation has been different to previous games. That has helped.

“The two 1-0 wins were good wins, especially the way we kept our shape. We will try to do the same on Monday.

“As long as we go out with the manner we have shown in the last two games, I am confident we’ll win.”

Since Euro 96, England have arrived at every tournament under huge pressure to succeed.

Not so this summer but Young said: “There is no point coming here not believing we can win it. The squad is full of confidence. We have three tough games but, if we apply

ourselves properly, I am sure we will do very well.”

Young re-emphasised that he “thrives on pressure” adding: “I’m always confident in my own ability. This season ended in a disappointing way but, on a personal level, I enjoyed it and thought I did well.

“When you play for Manchester United, the pressure’s on you every week. Everyone wants to beat United, the biggest team in the world. But, when it comes to playing with pressure, I thrive on pressure. I enjoy having a challenge.

“I remember the manager, Sir Alex (Ferguson), saying to me when I first joined United, that it would be a challenge for me coming here.

“I’ve played a whole season now and now I’m looking forward to the first Euro game.

“I’m a player who wants to be creative, wants to get on the ball, wants to play. That’s exactly what I’m looking to do on Monday if the manager tells me I’m playing.”

Young’s current status is a far cry from when released as a teenager by Watford a decade ago, but also is an indication of his determination to recover from such setbacks.

He said: “I can relate to kids when they’re told they’re not getting an apprenticeship with a club. It’s like a sucker punch.

“It’s obviously disheartening, but you have to pick yourself up from there.

“I managed to do that and, from that point, I’ve never looked back.”

The former Aston Villa player knows how the kudos of a player can soar if they shine in a tournament like Euro 2012.

He said: “It’s an opportunity for me to establish myself even further in the team.