This archive report was first published on 4 August 2019.
Manchester United has confirmed Ashley Young as the club's captain for the next season, following the departure of Antonio Valencia this summer.
Young, a 34-year-old Englishman, was handed a new one-year deal at United in the summer and has been a key player for the team since joining from Aston Villa in 2011.
He has proven his versatility by playing at left-back and right-back, despite initially joining the club as a winger.
Young's appointment as captain has taken fans by surprise, given that he may not have a guaranteed starting place in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's squad, with new signings Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Luke Shaw likely to fill the full-back spots.
Other players, including Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic, David de Gea, and Chris Smalling, were also in contention for the captaincy.
Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer announced Young's appointment before the team's pre-season win over AC Milan in Cardiff.
"Ash, when he's on the pitch, will carry the armband. When Ash starts, he'll be carrying the armband," Solskjaer said.
