Manchester United winger Ashley Young pleased with recovery process after injury setback

Manchester United winger Ashley Young claims he is making good progress on his recovery from a knee injury.

Young joined Old Trafford from Aston Villa in the summer for a fee believed to be around £18 million, but has been out of action since December 21 after sustaining a knee problem in the 5-0 win over Fulham.

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The England international may not be back in first-team action until February, with Sir Alex Ferguson claiming he’d be out for another month on January 8, but Young is optimistic over his recovery.

Speaking at the Betfair presents Man Utd live webcast at Old Trafford, Young said: "It's going well. I've been in the gym most days but it's getting there and hopefully I'll be back soon.”

Young has been buoyed by the start to his Old Trafford career and claims that the standard required to compete for a place at Manchester United has improved his ability.

"I'm enjoying it," he said. "From the minute I stepped into the building, I was welcomed with open arms by everybody in the squad.

"All the staff have been brilliant and to play alongside so many world-class players was always a dream for me.

"It brings your game on and you go up to another level. You experience that straight away. There's competition for places all around the team so you've always got to be on your toes.

"I think my game has come on. I've added different things to my game. Obviously, we're playing a different style than it was at Aston Villa and I've had to adapt.

"When I've gone away with England and the likes of Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick, I've got to know the boys there and how they play."

The midfielder is also eagerly anticipating the trip to the Emirates to face Arsenal on Sunday, even though it remains extremely unlikely that he’ll be able to play any part.

United currently sit second in the Premier League, three points behind leaders Manchester City, while Arsene Wenger's lie in fifth, four points off a Champions League place.

"It's going to be a tough game, but I'm sure we'll go down there full of confidence and looking to get three points - as we do in any game," said Young.

"There's a lot of points to play for and everyone wants to be top of the table but there's plenty of games left and we've got to concentrate on ourselves and look to go down there and win."