MANCHESTER, England, September 15 – Manchester United manager David Moyes has admitted he plans to speak to England winger Ashley Young in the wake of his controversial booking for diving in the 2-0 win against Crystal Palace.
Young was at the centre of drama in Moyes’s first victory at Old Trafford on Saturday, winning the pivotal penalty on the stroke of half-time after going down under a challenge from Kagisho Dikgacoi.
Palace midfielder Dikgacoi was shown a straight red card for the incident but the visitors were incensed, especially since Young had already been booked by referee Jon Moss for diving earlier in the half following a clash with the same player.
Young was spoken to by Moyes’s predecessor Alex Ferguson two seasons ago in similar circumstances and the new manager made it clear that he too will not tolerate diving from his players.
“I’ve always said I don’t like diving. He deserved to get booked,” said Moyes. “I don’t want my players diving, I don’t want anybody doing it.
“If you look at it, the boy definitely throws his leg out and Ashley’s leg goes into it. I think Ashley has put his leg into it.
“But I will definitely say to Ashley that it is not what I want.”
Moyes was more sympathetic about the penalty incident and claimed the referee made the correct decision in awarding United a penalty, which was converted by Robin van Persie.
“In real time it must have been very difficult to make a decision,” said Moyes.
“He called his linesman and between them they gave a penalty kick and we had earned or merited it because we had threatened so many times.”
United’s second goal came from Wayne Rooney, the England centre-forward returning a week ahead of schedule after suffering a painful head wound in a training ground incident two weeks ago.
Rooney played wearing a protective headguard and scored with a superb 81st minute free-kick to prove that any suggestions of his lack of enthusiasm at playing for Moyes and United are clearly a thing of the past.
“It was a difficult decision, we only got the headband on Friday,” Moyes added.
“Until then we hadn’t even got it and we wanted to see how he felt. When we saw him, he felt okay with it and thought he could wear it.
“I don’t know what sort of headband it is, we didn’t have it specially made. I think it’s something sumo wrestlers wear!
“There was no reaction, he looks fine and he went for a couple of headers.
“I told him I would try and get him 90 minutes because it will help with his overall goal of match fitness and match practice.”
Beaten Palace manager Ian Holloway watched from the stand as he served a touchline ban following an £18,000 ($28,573, 21,492 euros) fine for criticising the officials after a recent loss to Spurs and he refused to condemn Moss for his penalty decision.
“My opinion doesn’t count and I’ve just got to deal with it,” said Holloway.
“I literally can’t afford it, let everyone else judge what they think. I want to keep my money in my pocket and pay for my other daughter’s wedding next summer!”
Holloway was similarly tight-lipped when asked his opinion on Young’s behaviour and, in particular, his first half caution for simulation.
“I don’t talk about other people’s players,” he said. “But if you want to meet me down the pub for a pint later, I’ll tell you exactly what I think.”
