Football
Rob Dawson, Correspondent 6y

Ashley Young rejects Man United criticism over draw: It was a good point

LISBON, Portugal -- Ashley Young has rejected criticism of Manchester United's approach against Liverpool on Saturday and insisted the result will turn out to be a "good point."

Jose Mourinho was accused of negative tactics after his team managed one shot on target at Anfield. Romelu Lukaku had United's best chance but Jurgen Klopp's team had just one clear sight of goal themselves when David De Gea saved from Joel Matip.

The draw maintained United's unbeaten start to the season and, ahead of the Champions League clash with Benfica, Young insists it could turn out to be a valuable point.

"It's a tough place to go. It's always a hostile atmosphere whenever we go to Anfield," he told a news conference on Tuesday. "We've come away with a point and I think we'll look on it at the end of the season as a good point. A lot has been said but as players we've got to concentrate on the games we've got coming up. It was a good point and we move on."

At his own prematch news conference, Jose Mourinho was also asked what he made of criticism about his approach the draw.

"I have one comment," he replied. "No comment."

Mourinho was then bullish about Dejan Lovren's accusations that Romelu Lukaku stamped on him.

"You know I read something but there is a bit contradiction there because he [Lovren] says let's move on and forget what happened, but then he spends 10 minutes about what he thinks happened and didn't happen," he said. "So for me, words without any meaning, and FA committee is there to analyse and make decisions, so no comment."

After starting the season on the treatment table, Young has been in Mourinho's team for six of the last seven games.

Mourinho admitted in January the 32-year-old could leave Old Trafford. Young, however, insists he is happy to stay as long as he is playing regular football.

"At the minute I've been playing games and that's what my sole focus is on," Young added. "I'm concentrating on playing well for the team and doing as well as I can. If anything is to come about then the club will come to me. My sole focus is playing games week in, week out and playing well for the team."

Young's return to the United team, and a string of consistent displays at full-back and on the wing, has raised the possibility of an England recall three years after his last cap.

"I think until I retire I'll always have the ambition to represent my country," he said. "I've always said that whenever you pull on that England shirt it's an honour to do so. If the manager calls on me I would be delighted.

"But right now I'm just concentrating on things at Man United but if the England manager calls on me I would be grateful."

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