Manchester United: Ashley Young wants Louis van Gaal to play him as striker

Manchester United winger Ashley Young believes that he can play the coveted striker role for the Red Devils in the absence of Wayne Rooney, who is out of contention against PSV Eindoven with a hamstring injury. Young came off the bench against Liverpool to play an important part in their 3-1 drubbing of the Reds, winning the free-kick which led to the opening goal by Daley Blind.

The Red Devils are short up front with Rooney out, leaving only Anthony Martial and James Wilson as the possible options. Louis van Gaal may also look to persist with Marouane Fellaini, who started against Liverpool last weekend, giving them some physical presence up front.

However, Young is confident that he can fill in for Rooney for the time being and aid United's attack which hasn't been firing on all cylinders thus far this season. The England international has the added advantage of having been deployed in that position during his time at Aston Villa, which will give him confidence should Van Gaal turn to him for assistance.

"If the manager wants me to play there then yes, of course I would," Young said, as quoted by Goal. I can play in lots of positions and I have done that under the manager, whether it is up front or in midfield. Hopefully I can play there [through the middle] but it's up to the manager."

"He has said it to me before, but it is down to him. He has that headache of picking the team, so rather him than me."

Young has been in and out of the squad this season, with Van Gaal willing to use Memphis Depay on the left wing over the 30-year-old. However, Young is desperate to prove his detractors wrong and wants to show the manager that he still has the quality and determination to become a regular part of the first team.

"It has [been a while]. Every player in the squad wants to be in the starting XI and I am not different," he continued. "I want to play as much as I can, but when I am called from the bench as I was against Liverpool, I just want to show the manager that I am ready and willing to give 100 per cent. I have always said that it is good to have competition for places and we have that in abundance in the squad."