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Ashley Young has endured a season-to-forget so far this term. Axed by England, overlooked by United and labelled a cheat after more controversial ‘diving’ incidents.

On Sunday he returns to Aston Villa the club he left for Old Trafford in a £16m deal in the summer of 2011.

Winger Young’s star was on the rise when Sir Alex Ferguson added him to his record-equalling 19th title winners in 2011. He scored six goals for England just prior to and after joining United and was an ever-present in Roy Hodgson’s Euro 2012 matches in Poland and Ukraine.

He did, however, miss one of the penalties against Italy that saw the Three Lions knocked out in the quarter finals in Kiev.

Before the finals Young had also been under the spotlight for two ‘conning’ episodes for the Reds against Queens Park Rangers and Aston Villa at Old Trafford a week apart in April 2012.

QPR’s Shaun Derry was sent off for his tackle on Young and the then Rangers boss Mark Hughes said the Reds winger “went over too easily".

Seven days later he won a spot kick for the Reds against Villa and even boss Sir Alex Ferguson it was a “dramatic fall” and “he’d made the most of it".

Fergie later had private words with Young ordering him to cut it out.

However, this term he was reprimanded by David Moyes after he tried to con referee Jon Moss when challenged by Crystal Palace’s Kagisho Dikgacoi in September at Old Trafford.

Young was yellow carded for simulation by Moss last month in Spain against Real Sociedad in the Champions League he again ‘won’ United a penalty – missed by Robin Van Persie – with a dreadful dive described by ex-Red Ray Wilkins as “pathetic".

Amid all the controversy the 28-year-old was dropped by Hodgson for England’s World Cup qualifiers against Montenegro and Poland.

The England boss said, “He's not playing for Manchester United at the moment. But he's still in our thoughts. It just means he fell outside of the 23, I guess".

Young now faces a race against time to win back Hodgson’s vote for the World Cup in Brazil next June. But he’s still battling to convince Moyes that he is worthy of being a United established regular.

His start against Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday night was only his fifth of the season and it ended early when he was subbed after 62 minutes with Old Trafford cheering Moyes' decision.

Young has been tight-lipped on all subjects this term but broke his silence when he stopped in the mixed zone after United’s Euro night.

Here, he discusses the issues surrounding his season.

ASHLEY YOUNG ON...

Diving

“I think it’s one to ask the referees - they’re the ones who are giving free-kicks and penalties.

“I remember getting booked against Crystal Palace and then won a penalty. Against Real Sociedad it was another penalty that was given.

"Referees have got tough decisions to make, they have a tough, tough time out there making decisions, but they have made the right decisions I think.

“I don’t take notice of the headlines or the debates. That’s obviously for the media to debate and people to have their say on it and everyone is entitled to have their say on it.

“For me, the referees have made decisions and that’s it.

“It’s been talked about obviously by the previous manager (Sir Alex Ferguson) and the current manager (David Moyes) but that’s in house. I’m not going to comment on what’s been said.

“I understand what you’re saying (about getting a reputation) and everyone is going to have their say on it but like I say I’ve spoken to the previous manager and current manager, the referees are giving decisions and that I where I think it lies."

His United form

“I didn’t hear the applause (when subbed against Shakhtar). I didn’t hear it. To be honest, I think you always have a bit of criticism now and then, it’s the way you take it.

“I’m a positive person. I always want to play well and go and show the fans how I can play. The fans have been brilliant since the day I came here.

“We want to do well for them. They’re here week in, week out, singing from the first minute until the last. If we can build on this result and keep the momentum going then I’m sure they’ll be happy.

“Obviously it’s been disappointing for me because I’ve not been involved as much as I would have liked. Every player in the squad wants to play every game and I’m no different to that, I want to play each game but it’s up to the manager to pick the team so I’ve just got to keep doing the things that are right in training and take my chances when I’m given them and we’ll have to see if the manager picks me again.

“I’ve been involved against Shakhtar and a few games this season. I’ve had a period where I’ve not been involved. For me, I just want to get back out there playing.

“I’m a player who always wants to play each game and if I can give the manager a headache in training then it’s his decision whether I play or not.”

England and the World Cup

“Right now I’m not thinking about the World Cup, I’m thinking about playing for United. I’ve started against Shakhtar and hopefully when the manager picks the team again I can be involved again. That’s not for me to decide, that’s for the manager to decide. I’ll just have to keep training as hard as I have done.

“But you always want to play in the biggest tournaments, whether that’s at club level or international level, so of course I want to be on that plane to Brazil but I don’t think there’s a player who has been involved in the squad that doesn’t want to be on the plane.

“But I’m not too sure about my chances. You’d have to ask the England manager that.”