David Moyes to take Ashley Young to task over diving

Ashley Young has been accused of diving to win penalties

Manchester United boss David Moyes confirmed that he would have a talk with midfielder Ashley Young after the player was yet again booked for diving in the 2-0 victory against Crystal Palace. Sky Sports reports.

The 28-year-old was shown a yellow card by referee Jon Moss after going down too easily after Kagisho Dikgacoi’s challenge, according to replays Young took advantage of the situation.

The ex-Aston Villa player managed to win a penalty later in the game after being challenged once again by Dikgacoi, who was shown a straight red card. Tension rose at Old Trafford after the players dismissal with Crystal Palace fans feeling cheated.

“I don’t want my players diving,” said Moyes, when asked about the yellow card. “I don’t want anybody doing it.

“The boy (Dikgacoi) definitely throws his leg out but I think Ashley has put his leg into his leg. It is not what I want.”

Robin Van Persie converted United’s penalty after sending Crystal Palace keeper Julian Speroni the wrong way. David Moyes confessed that he understood how Palace felt after Dikgacoi’s sending off.

“I don’t like the rule where every time it is the last man it means it is (a red card),” said Moyes. “I thought it was harsh. If I was Ian Holloway I would be disappointed.

“OK, it might be a penalty. But I don’t think the boy made a challenge to wipe him out. Unfortunately that is the rule.”

The Red Devils have yet to get their attacking right this season and did not threaten 10-man Crystal Palace much. A stellar free kick from Wayne Rooney in the final minutes of the game sealed the home teams victory.

Rooney’s participation in the match was clouded in doubt after the striker injured his head due to accidentally colliding with team-mate Phil Jones in training. Rooney’s inclusion was announced on Friday after the player protected his head with a black cushion guard.

“It was a difficult decision,” said Moyes. “We got the headband on Friday and we wanted to see how he felt with it. If I thought he could wear it I would try and get him out.

“He tired a little bit in the second half but I wanted to get the 90 minutes out of him because he lacks match practice. It helped him towards the overall goal of getting him match sharp.”

Moyes introduced new-signing Maroune Fellani later in the game but it was 18-year-old starlet Adnan Januzaj who stole the show.

The Belgian ran rings around Palace’s defenders and won the match winning free-kick scored by Rooney.

“I considered playing him from the start,” said Moyes. “His performance when he came on showed it would have been merited.

“He didn’t look fazed and did a lot of good things. He moved the ball well. He is going to be a good player.”

Manchester United look to kick off their Champions League campaign with a winning start when they face German side Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday.