Premier League

World Cup

Ashley Young downplays feud with England teammate Dele Alli

Ashley Young says that Dele Alli has a big future ahead of him, as he attempts to play down his on-field dispute with the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder earlier this term.

Ashley Young has insisted that his on-field spat with Dele Alli earlier this season has been put to bed ahead of England's World Cup campaign.

Alli angered his international teammate when telling him to "retire with a zimmer frame" during Tottenham Hotspur's 1-0 defeat to Manchester United - a reference to the makeshift full-back's age.

In response, Young pointed out that the Spurs midfielder had yet to win any major honours during his career as they came face-to-face at Old Trafford.

Speaking seven months on from the incident, however, Young has revealed that the hatchet has been buried, with both players focusing on the upcoming World Cup finals in Russia.

"We had a laugh and a joke about it. A lot of people say he has to take [the nasty streak] out of his game, but I think he's one of those players that plays on the edge," he told reporters.

"He winds people up. That's just him. He's a fantastic talent and, for me, to have him in the squad is unbelievable. He's shown in previous get-togethers and the last few days what a talent he can be, and what a talent he is.

"A lot of things have been said by previous players, but here everybody gets on with everyone. Everyone is pulling in the same direction. Obviously there is club rivalry, but when you are here with England, you are representing your country. The rivalries get put to bed. They are put aside. You are fighting together as one team."

England's players have been training together at St George's Park over the past week, with their first pre-World Cup friendly coming against Nigeria on Saturday evening.

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