Man Utd’s Young throws City the challenge

Various players have at various times this season drifted in and out of form for Manchester United.

It is one reason they sit atop the table, despite an overall poor season by their standards.

Had any one of these players – Wayne Rooney, Tom Cleverley, Ashley Young, Antonio Valencia or Nani – stayed fit or sustained form, United may well have been 10 points clear of Manchester title rivals, City.

The current inform striker is Ashley Young. Despite Wayne Rooney’s goal-scoring prowess, it is Young that has been the livewire bringing on the attacks and cutting in from the flanks with devastating effect.

So it is only perhaps fitting for Young to be the first to rub salt in City’s wounds.

Young said: "A lot of people might not have said that we'd be in front of City but we've got the belief that, as long as we're winning our games, the pressure's on them."

Striker Danny Welbeck said: "I think we'll get confidence from our recent results but we know there is no room for complacency at all.

"We're getting to the end of the season and winning is vital. We need to get as many points as possible.

"We are just focusing on ourselves and knowing the next match is always the most important.

"You can't afford to slip up at any point, so it's always the next game that's on my mind."

Wayne Rooney said, "I just want to help us get those points we need to be successful. The most important thing is to win trophies."