NafisaFormer Manchester United skipper Ashley Young had to be held back as he attempted to confront Matthijs de Ligt following Everton’s contentious 2-2 draw with United at Goodison Park.
The experienced Everton defender—who spent nearly nine years at Old Trafford—was visibly frustrated with the Dutch centre-back after United salvaged a draw on Merseyside. Young, 39, was unlucky not to win a decisive penalty in stoppage time after he went down under pressure from De Ligt and Harry Maguire.
Initially, referee Andy Madley pointed to the spot, but he reversed his decision despite replays showing De Ligt tugging Young’s shirt inside the penalty area, preventing him from reaching a loose ball near Andre Onana’s goal. The controversial VAR review left both teams forced to settle for a point after Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte responded to goals from Beto and Abdoulaye Doucoure.
Footage captured near the dugouts and shared on social media by the Liverpool Echo’s Tony Scott showed Young being restrained as he attempted to approach De Ligt following the final whistle.
Having come on as a substitute in the 54th minute, Young was heading off the pitch before abruptly turning around and seemingly making a direct move toward the former Ajax and Juventus defender.
Maguire, 31, stepped in, guiding Young toward the tunnel before he could reach De Ligt. The confrontation came just days after ESPN reported that De Ligt—who arrived at United from Bayern Munich in a £40 million deal last summer—was not a priority signing for the club but rather a personal target of former manager Erik ten Hag, who had previously coached him in Amsterdam.
The report suggested that ex-United sporting director Dan Ashworth played a role in approving the transfer. United’s latest financial records for the final quarter of 2024 revealed that the club spent £4 million hiring and subsequently parting ways with Ashworth within five months, with the De Ligt deal possibly factoring into that decision.
Despite United already having several centre-backs, Ashworth reportedly felt that backing Ten Hag—who had recently been given a contract extension—meant securing a player of his choosing.
Ironically, De Ligt has emerged as one of United’s standout defenders this season, alongside Leny Yoro, whose early months in Manchester were disrupted by a pre-season injury. With Lisandro Martinez now sidelined for the rest of the campaign due to a serious knee issue and Maguire’s errors contributing to both of Everton’s goals, De Ligt’s role in the team is set to become even more crucial.
As for Young, while his physical attributes may be declining with age, his fiery temperament remains intact. The veteran, who will celebrate his 40th birthday in July—the same month his Everton contract is set to expire—continues to show the same intensity he had when he made his Premier League debut back in 2006.
Nafisa
