Aston Villa: Ashley Young could be a bit-part player at Manchester United, warns Tony Morley

May 29 2011

ASTON Villa legend Tony Morley understands the appeal of joining Manchester United – but has warned Ashley Young he faces being a bit-part bench-warmer if he moves to Old Trafford.

The Red Devils are expected to bid for Young next week after getting last night’s Champions League final out of the way and have already made tentative enquiries with Villa.

Morley believes the claret and blues can cope without the former Watford favourite thanks to the rise to prominence of Stewart Downing and the emergence of Marc Albrighton.

But the former European Cup-winning winger has offered Young a cautionary two-word message ahead of the potential deal – James Milner. Morley reckons Young’s situation mirrors that of Milner who made the trip up the M6 to United’s rivals City after his transfer saga dominated Villa’s summer last year.

Milner has endured a frustrating time at Eastlands – despite the club’s FA Cup win earlier this month – and has been in and out of Roberto Mancini’s star-studded side.

Young would face similarly stiff competition to win a regular place in Sir Alex Ferguson’s starting line-up and would probably be challenging Nani and Antonio Valencia for a wide role at United.

Morley admits a move to Old Trafford would ‘‘turn the head’’ of most players – but warned Young to consider the importance of regular football.