Ashley Young confronts Mark Goldbridge over comments about how he left Man Utd and explains ‘his side of the story’

In an appearance on Mark Goldbridge’s show, ex-Manchester United man Ashley Young called out previous comments from the Red Devils supporter and offered his version of events.

Young took issue with Goldbridge’s in-the-moment reaction to him leaving Manchester United, which came in January 2020 amid a Red Devils injury crisis.

Goldbridge accused the now retired 41-year-old of ‘abandoning the club’ by way of his move - an allegation that Young entirely denied and instead offered ‘his side of the story' in response to.

READ MORE: Man Utd must be wary after what happened with Mauricio Pochettino at Chelsea

Ashley Young spills all on Manchester United exit after Mark Goldbridge ‘abandoned us’ comments

“What actually happened was, I’d seen Ole [Gunnar Solskjær],” began Young. “He literally said to me, ‘You’re not going to play much.’

“[I’m] 34 at the time, and I’m being told Inter Milan are interested. They were top of the Serie A, and in the Champions League, so I went to Ole.

“I said, ‘Ole, listen. I’m not playing; I want to play football. I’m that player, I don’t care what age I am, I want to play football,’” continued the former Red Devil.

“‘You might have made me club captain, but still, I have a need. I can’t just see here and say that I’m just going to pick up my money. That I’ll be fine in the dressing room.’”

Young explained that there was “so much out there” left for him to do and win in the world of football. After asking to leave, then-Manchester United manager Solskjær sanctioned a move.

“Three days later, Ole said: ‘The club wants to offer you a new deal,’” continued the 41-year-old. “It’s too late. My head is already gone.

“Because you’re offering me a new deal to, what, just keep me around the place? Not happening,” concluded Young.

Goldbridge immediately questioned whether that information, about the ex-Manchester United man being offered a new deal, was made public at the time.

“No, It came out that I left the training ground,” claimed the 41-year-old. “I just wanted to clear it up. I get stick, it’s not a problem. But when it gets personal, [it’s gone too far].

“My club? I’d never leave them. Never. If someone told me that I was in desperate need - Ole didn’t say that.”

READ MORE: Sir Alex Ferguson has already told Man Utd how he feels about Mauricio Pochettino becoming manager

Mark Goldbridge’s comments to Ashley Young after Manchester United exit

Young arrived prepared at the studio, reading Goldbridge’s in-the-moment reaction from 2020 as it was written in a small ledger.

“There’ll be no reaction to Ashley Young leaving Manchester United, frankly, because I don’t care,” said the ex-Red Devil, reading Goldbridge’s words.

“He’s just a modern footballer looking after his own needs and leaving our club and manager a man down, when they didn’t want to be.

“Glad he’s gone, but he’s let Ole Gunnar Solskjær down,” concluded Young, to which Goldbridge confessed he “vaguely sort of remembered” the comments.

The book provoked laughter from Wayne Rooney, who is set to make 47% less than his wife in his upcoming ‘I’m A Celebrity’ appearance, leading him to jokingly question what else is written in it.

After offering his version of events, the 41-year-old spoke about the media leaking damaging stories when club personnel least expect it.

Goldbridge switched the conversation initially, claiming that players and managers must think: “‘I can’t believe that’s out there in the [public] arena, and I’m getting sh*t for it.”

“It’s mad,” admitted Young. “Things go out before they’re being said [officially].” Goldbridge then claimed that modern fans have “wised up” to the reality of such stories being spun.

READ NEXT: Wayne Rooney set to earn 47% less than wife Coleen as full I'm A Celebrity 2026 pay revealed