While promotion from the Championship will be the priority for the Blues, Young sees the competition as a welcome distraction from the intense nature of league football.
In his mind, Town can be successful in both competitions.
“I think the FA Cup, for me, is the biggest traditional cup in England,” he said. “It’s a break from the Championship, but it’s another competition where if you go further in it, you can take that into the league and take confidence from winning games in the cup.
“Having a good cup run does help. If you speak to other people, a lot will say that getting out of the cup and focusing on the league is more important. But for us, every competition that we’re in we want to go and win and do as well as we can do.
“We want to keep this momentum going and the FA Cup can do that as well.”
Asked for his favourite FA Cup memories growing up, Young recalled: “My dad used to play for a team called Old Etonians.
“Me and my brothers – they used to play the game before the FA Cup, so it was like a day out. We’d be out there from like seven, eight o’clock in the morning.
Young lifted the FA Cup trophy with Manchester United back in 2016 (Image: PA)
“My dad would then play for this team. He’d probably last for about 10 minutes, he didn’t last long! All he wanted to do was nutmeg someone and walk off the pitch.
“That was one of the memories. We used to watch him during the morning, then after that, he and his friends would be in the bar and drink it dry while we were waiting for the FA Cup to come on.
“It was one of those things where all my brothers wanted to play in the games. Sons were able to play in the games.
“That’s where the FA Cup, the traditional values of the FA Cup, were for me. Going down with my dad and watching him play, then the build-up to the FA Cup final.
“To then see the final and watch it, that was one of the things where I was like, ‘one of those days, I want to be there’. I was fortunate enough to be there and win it.
“For me, the tradition of the cup is massive. I’m looking forward to it.”
Young’s FA Cup success came during his time at Manchester United. Back in 2015/16, he was brought on in the second half of their game against Crystal Palace, when they were trailing 1-0.
Juan Mata equalised less than 10 minutes later before Jesse Lingard bagged the winner, ensuring that Young was able to add a winners’ medal to his honours list.
“It was incredible, to be honest,” the 40-year-old admitted. “To actually be able to walk up those steps at Wembley, the most iconic stadium, for me, in the world.
The 40-year-old recalled being on the wrong end of a shock cup result during his time at Aston Villa (Image: PA)
“It was an achievement I can’t really put into words.
“My family were all there, my kids, my wife, mum and dad, and the other 50,000 tickets I got for that day! Everyone was there.
“It’s such a proud moment that I look back on in my career. It would be nice to add another one to the tally I’ve got so far.”
Of course, Young’s FA Cup memories haven’t all been positive. He was on the losing side in the 2017/18 final – a 1-0 defeat to Chelsea – and can recall one famous upset that took place at Villa Park back in January 2023.
“It’s funny, I was talking to someone about it this morning,” he explained. “I can only think back to my second time round at Aston Villa, losing to Stevenage. Other than that – to be honest, I don’t want to think about any if I have!
“There’s always a cup upset, a lower-league team beating a team in the higher divisions.
“We’re hoping it’s not going to be us. We don’t want any cup upsets around here.”