on 23 june 2011, young completed a move to manchester united for an undisclosed fee, reportedly around £17 million, having passed a medical the day before, beating liverpool to the signing. he signed a five-year deal with the club. he was handed the number 18 shirt previously worn by paul scholes. he made his debut for united in a 3–2 derby win over manchester city in the 2011 fa community shield, playing the full 90 minutes and making an assist.