I’m top scorer in the country after being bombed out by Man Utd legend – but I don’t hold a grudge

4 months ago 28

JAKE YOUNG will not be sticking two fingers up at Mark Hughes or anybody else if he is told to return to Bradford.

The 16-goal striker is the top marksman in English football after Michael Flynn took a chance with him at Swindon.

But the terms of the deal were that he could be recalled by the Bantams next month.

New Bradford boss Graham Alexander — who replaced sacked Hughes in October — is planning to do exactly that.

And who can blame him for wanting the country’s hottest hitman in his squad?

Young was frozen out by Manchester United legend Hughes, not even included in the pre-season trip to Spain, and forced to train with the kids.

But the 22-year-old said: “I love Swindon and am having the best time but I know how football works.

“Loans are designed to help both clubs and the players — and that’s clearly how it’s worked out for me.

“Things can go wrong, too — you might get injured and be out for months, you might not fit in and if the deal is that you go back in January, the home club has to recall you. So as a player you can’t have your cake and eat it.

“I have no grudge against Mark Hughes — he made his decision and people might say now that for him it was the wrong one.

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“The last thing I would do if I went back would be to somehow glory in the fact that I had to leave when I’ve done so well here.

“Bradford have my contract and I have no choice in the matter.

“There are plenty of games before any decision is made and I just want to keep enjoying myself.”

Young is certainly doing that having picked up his second Sky Bet player of the month award since moving to the County Ground.

His best league tally before heading to Wiltshire was six in 2020-21 when he started out at Forest Green — he netted four in 12 appearances for Bradford and none in 17 while on loan for the second half of last season at Barrow.

Now there are social-media jokes comparing him to Manchester City’s Erling Haaland as he heads to Wimbledon with Swindon today.

Young laughed: “It’s quite a compliment — for him, that is!

“But seriously, this has been an amazing experience and whatever happens in the next few weeks I can only thank our gaffer here, Michael Flynn, for showing such faith in me.

It’s quite a compliment – for him, that is!

Jake Young on being compared to Erling Haaland

“Hughes made his decision but it was only one man’s opinion.

“I always believed I had what it took to score a lot of goals and I have no axe to grind with him.

“It’s the best thing to happen to me — and I’ll keep trying to enjoy it no matter how long I’m here.”