We chat to the Man United winger on set for his new F50 boots.

SoccerBible Speaks To Ashley Young

Exclusive: Ashley Young Q A
We chat to the Man United winger on set for his new F50 boots.

Ashley Young's speed and skill defines exactly what the adidas F50 is all about, he's one of the brand's longest serving F50 players wearing generations of the speed silo. Few players know the boot quite like the Manchester United winger and we caught up with him for an exclusive chat during a photoshoot for the latest Infrared/White/Black adidas F50 adizero boots.

Back from injury Young is raring to go and adidas have hooked him up with the latest F50 colourway ahead of United's game against Chelsea on Monday night. Taking time out of his photoshoot duties Ashley sat down with us to talk about his relationship with adidas and about the impact of fellow United and F50 star Robin Van Persie.

 

 

You've enjoyed a long relationship with adidas. Is it exciting to be partnered with adidas and what makes them exciting to work with? Ashley:It's been very exciting for me to be part of adidas for so many years. Im just delighted that they offered the chance to sign me up. The boots over the years have been fantastic in the way they've changed and evolved. Adidas have been very accomodating to me, making sure the boots are always a perfect fit and moulded to my feet. I have my exact foot measurments taken every so often so they know exactly what I need. They're such a big global brand, it's been amazing to work with them and long may it continue. How much have football boots advanced and evolved since your earliest days as a professional?

Ashley:The F50 boots have been a part of me throughout the whole of my career and it's been exciting to see first hand how they've changed. Your boots are your tools, you go to work in them every day so you need to make sure they're the perfect fit and that's exactly what I've had throughout the many years I've been signed with adidas.

 

 

You first started wearing the F50 during your Watford days. Is it crazy to think you've been playing in the same boot model for so long?

 

Ashley: I've been wearnig the F50 for a long time. I know players who switch boots quite regularly and I'm sure some people will think it's a bit crazy for me to have worn the same boots for so long, but if youre comfortable in a pair of boots then there's no point in changing them. That's why I've stuck with the F50 for so long.

Would you like to see adidas push the boundaries further and make the F50 even lighter?

 

Ashley:I say every time a new F50 boot comes out that I can't work out how they make the boots so light and with so much comfort and fit around your feet as well. As a player you feel like you're running faster when your boots are lighter so hopefully they can make another lighter pair to make me feel like I'm running even faster.

 

 

Last season you were involved in designing your own miadidas F50 boots - did you enjoy that experience and would you like the opportunity to do it again this season?

Ashley:Yes it was great fun and I'd love the chance to design another miadidas pair. To be honest the ones I designed were the best out of all the players! I think it was a good idea from adidas to give players that involvement in designing the boots they'd go on to wear in matches.

 

Have you kept any boots from special games?

 

Ashley:I've kept quite a few pairs from obviously playing at Manchester United and Aston Villa. Mainly boots from cup finals and Champions League games, also boots from England matches from when I played in the Euro's.

Van Persie is now wearing the F50s, but last season we saw him wear the same adidas Predator boots throughout the whole season? Is he particularly suspicous when it comes to his boots?

 

Ashley:I'm not too sure if Robin is suspicious at all. Strikers are a bit weird, if they're scoring a lot in a certain pair of boots then they're going to keep wearing them. They're not going to want to change because it could be something that triggers in their head if they are suspicious. But he's in the F50's now and hopefully he can score as many goals for us as he did last season.

 

How much has Van Persie impressed you since arriving at Manchester United and how high does he rank in terms of the best players you've played with?

Ashley:I think he's right up there with the best I've played with and he's been a fantastic player since he joined the club. Everyone knew how good he was but it's only when you train alongside someone day in, day out, that you get to see how good they really are. Since the day he walked through the door he's been fantastic and I'm sure that will continue because he's such a world class player.

 

If he replicates his from from last season, do you think that gives United the edge and makes them favourites for the title? Ashley:I think we've been written off as third favourites by the media! We know how good we are and we want to retain the title again. Already everybody is out there pulling everyone in the right direction and we showed that against Swansea. Everyone is fully fit and fighting for their place in the team. Competition is always healthy at a club and when you're playing at such a big club like Manchester United you want to win trophies and we want to win them all. Ashley Young wears the adidas F50 football boots, RRP £160 at selected online stockists including Pro-Direct Soccer. Visit www.adidas.com or join the conversation @SoccerBible @adidasUK.