Ashley Young Injury Comes at Worst Time for Reborn Manchester United Winger

As Ashley Young was helped down the touchline at the Britannia Stadium on New Year's Day, there was a look of anguish on his face.

The pain of the hamstring injury he had just suffered was clearly a factor. So too, you imagine, was the realisation he wouldn't be able to help Manchester United find a winner against Stoke City. 

But there might also have been an acknowledgment the injury had come at the worst possible time. Just when he was beginning to flourish in Louis van Gaal's team, it's likely he will now miss at least a few weeks. It's time Luke Shaw will hope to use to cement his place in the first team after spending the last six weeks on the sidelines with an ankle injury.

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

It's unfortunate for Young, who looked to be on his way out at Old Trafford in the summer. It's been his ability to adapt to positions unfamiliar to him—wing-back and full-back—that has convinced Van Gaal to keep him around.

He's benefited from Shaw's injury problems since the 19-year-old arrived from Southampton in the summer. But he's become more than just a stop-gap.

He's still learning the defensive demands of his new role. But, in games against Aston Villa and Newcastle in particular, he's been one of United's most dangerous weapons. It was his run and cross that created Radamel Falcao's equaliser at Villa Park.

His performances have earned praise from some of the fans who were once keen to see him leave—as well as his competition on left, Shaw.

"

Ashley has been superb in every game I've watched.

He's been doing great work at both ends of the pitch and putting teams on the back foot as an attacking player. It's something I've been looking at.

"

Young arrived at Old Trafford from Aston Villa in 2011 as a winger. But in a squad that also includes Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie, Angel Di Maria, Juan Mata, Adnan Januzaj and Falcao, he's unlikely to get a game in any of the attacking positions.

He's been most impressive at left wing-back. But he's made the most of Shaw's absence and has now picked up an injury just as the England full-back is returning. Young can play on the right as well but faces competition from Antonio Valencia and Rafael. 

Clive Mason/Getty Images

Van Gaal can at least be grateful Young's injury has happened at a time when Shaw is fit again. Had the two absences overlapped, the Dutchman would have had to start squeezing square pegs into round holes.

That will, however, be little consolation to Young. After doing so much to impress Van Gaal over the last six weeks, he faces a fight to get back to full fitness, then another to get back into the team.