Young believes United can achieve Champions League glory this season

Manchester United’s solid defence and attacking options make Ashley Young believe Champions League glory is realistic this season.

For the first time since 2013-14, the three-time European champions are back in the knockout phase of the continent’s top competition.

Wednesday sees Jose Mourinho’s side take on Sevilla in the first leg of the last-16 clash, yet there is already half an eye on the Kiev finale this May.

Having lifted the Europa League last year, experienced full-back Young sees no reason why they cannot challenge for the Champions League this time.

“Of course (we can win the Champions League),” versatile full-back Young said.

“You don’t enter a competition not to win it. That’s what we will be looking to do and take each game as it comes.

“The next one is against Sevilla. That’s a tough away game like Huddersfield, like Newcastle away. That’s what the stadium is like. We just have to concentrate on ourselves.”

Young has also not given up on usurping runaway Premier League leaders Manchester City – “we know the points difference but never say never” – having reached the FA Cup quarter-finals.

Saturday’s 2-0 fifth round win at Huddersfield was a welcome boost at the start of a “massive week” that sees Mourinho’s former side Chelsea arrive at Old Trafford after the trip to Spain.

United’s win in West Yorkshire was a timely response after the surprise loss at Newcastle, with their latest clean sheet particularly sweet after the defence came in for criticism.

“It’s fantastic,” Young, deployed at right-back on Saturday, said.

“I think a lot has been said about defenders and what not – a lot was said last week – and it’s one of them things. Everyone’s entitled to their opinion.

“Keep getting clean sheets and hopefully we can chip in with goals as well as the front boys.”

While far from their best in Huddersfield, United not only defended stoutly but showed their clinical edge as Romelu Lukaku netted a fine match-winning brace.

“His hold up play, his all-round game was fantastic today and he’s done that all throughout the season,” Young said. “He’s getting goals and to get two today was brilliant for him.

“When you’ve got someone, who can hold up the ball like he can and get in the box it’s fantastic.”

And, better still, there were glimpses of Lukaku clicking with high-profile January signing Alexis Sanchez.

“You can see the combinations between them,” Young said.

“Alexis comes inside, and Rom’s seen him and picked him up as well and they’re picking each other out and they have worked well together so far.”

Among the things that did not go so well on Saturday was the implementation of video technology for the first time in a United game, with Juan Mata’s goal from a Young cross controversially ruled out for offside.

“It’s one of them things,” Young added. “It’s in the game now and it goes to someone else to judge.

“Obviously, we have seen it back and I don’t know if it’s a good thing or not.

“I think it’s pretty unclear, but we just have to get on with it.

“I was looking to try and get the assist! It’s just one of them things. We were told how long it was going to take and that’s just how long it takes. You just have to get on with it like I said.

“It’s a tough decision to make, we know that, however long it takes it takes so we just have to get on with it.”