English Premier League: Ashley Young sidelined, says Ferguson

Scholes to return in United’s game against Stoke City tomorrow.

MANCHESTER: Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said yesterday that Ashley Young has been ruled out for a fortnight and will miss his side’s Premier League match with Stoke City tomorrow.

Young was forced off in the 2-1 derby defeat with Manchester City on Monday after he picked up an ankle injury late in the match following a tackle by Pablo Zabaleta.

The Old Trafford boss said the 27-year-old England international will miss the next two weeks, which looks likely to include United’s matches with West Ham and his former club Aston Villa.

Ferguson had more encouraging news on the remainder of his injured players and in particular veteran midfielder Paul Scholes, who is set to resume training having not played since the end of January with a knee injury.

“Ashley is out after he had got a sore whack on his ankle,” said Ferguson. “It will maybe be two weeks for him, but other than that we are in good shape in terms of player availability.

“Paul Scholes will start training with the first team and has done a fair bit in the last week or so.

“It will be a boost to have Paul’s football intelligence back in the squad. He’s been out for a few weeks now though so will need a good bit of training with us.”

Ferguson also said there has not been an extended hangover in the Manchester United camp following their Champions League exit to Real Madrid at the beginning of March.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 13^th, 2013.