text: Ashley Young is finally feeling like a senior member of the Manchester United squad. The 29-year-old moved to Old Trafford in June 2011 from Aston Villa, but acknowledges it took time for him to come into his own at the club. Young now feels he has an important role under Louis van Gaal, and told ManUtd.com: 'I was looking around and thinking I was in the top six or seven who have been here the longest now. Whereas I used to say I was a youngster, now I can only say that by my name. Ashley Young is finally feeling like a senior member of the Manchester United squad under Louis van Gaal . The 29-year-old moved to Old Trafford in June 2011 from Aston Villa and feels he has a role to play at United . 'To be honest, a few of my team-mates have mentioned my name when they talk about characters and jokers and it's always nice to hear that. You have got to have good team spirit and we have got that here. We always have done. 'There are people who like to mess about and do different things in the dressing room. There are big characters in the dressing room and everyone gets on with everybody else. The team spirit we have got here is brilliant.' Young had to be patient but the winger says easing himself in was only natural when he had to meet his new team-mates and get used to a different dressing room. 'When I first came here, I knew a few of the lads from playing with them for England but I didn't really know what to expect,' Young added. 'When you settle in properly at a club, your character starts to come out more and more. 'With me, I'm always there or thereabouts when there is any mucking about or things going on in the dressing room.' Young acknowledges it took time for him to come into his own at the club but believes that is only natural . Young tries to beat Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Hugo Lloris to the ball during their Premier League match . Young feels he and Wayne Rooney (left) are among those that have had to share the responsibility . Being a senior member of the squad, Young feels he has had to share the responsibility with captain Wayne Rooney following the departures of Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra. 'When you've got Vida, Rio and  Evra leaving, individuals who were not only big characters but captains, people have to step up and take over that mantle,' Young stated. 'It has definitely happened. You give out more advice and try to help the youngsters along but it's everybody's job really. Everybody chips in. 'We've got one captain but, when we're on the pitch, there are 11 captains and everyone wants to be pulling in the right direction and wanting to perform and do as we well as we can as a team. When you have got that on and off the pitch, it's great.'
target: Ashley Young joined Manchester United in June 2011 from Aston Villa .
  Young feels he has an important role to play under Louis van Gaal .
  He feels he and Wayne Rooney are among those that have taken on responsibility after Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra left .