Moyes: Januzaj can learn how to take a kicking from Messi

Manchester United boss David Moyes has demanded greater protection from referees for Adnan Januzaj after the FA levelled charges of violent conduct at Fulham’s Sascha Riether.

Riether was caught on camera appearing to stamp on Januzaj’s leg in a tussle during United’s 3-1 win over Fulham at the weekend, sparking a mass confrontation between the two sides.

The German defender now faces a possible suspension after the incident was referred to a committee devoted to reviewing ‘not seen’ incidents and has until 6pm on Tuesday to respond to the charge.

But Moyes is furious with the apparent stamp, and believes that Riether deliberately went out of his way to target the 18-year-old Belgian.

“I hadn’t seen it until after the game, the view from the dugout made it impossible to see, but it’s a bad stamp and it does look deliberate,” Moyes said.

“It’s over now but I do think Adnan is going to need a little bit more protection or we are going to find he is getting kicked up and down. I do think he deserves a little bit more than he is getting at this time.”

However, Moyes says that Januzaj must learn to adapt to the rough and tumble of the Premier League and cited Barcelona’s Lionel Messi as a good example for the youngster to follow.

“He only needs to look at Messi who is probably the best in the world at getting kicked, getting up and getting on with it and continuing to produce magic all the time.

“I’m not in any way comparing Adnan to Messi, so don’t be saying that, but I’m certainly saying the way Messi gets up after being kicked, we hope that’s the way Adnan continues to behave too.

“But he does need a little bit of protection. Somewhere along the line if he is going to continue playing in the fashion and style we want he’ll need to get protection. It’s up to referees to do what they think is right.”

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Januzaj is amongst the top ten most fouled players in the Premier League, drawing 18 fouls in six appearances – a ratio of three fouls suffered every game.