Manchester United manager David Moyes has defended Ashley Young after the winger was at the centre of another diving row following Tuesday’s Champions League draw with Real Sociedad.
Young made his way into the Sociedad box midway through the second half, and when tugged by Markel Bergara the 28-year-old had no hesitation in going to ground.
United missed the resulting penalty – Robin Van Persie being denied by Claudio Bravo – but Moyes has defended Young on what some viewed as a “soft” decision.
"All I know is he got a penalty kick from a decision,” the United manager told the BBC.
"I don't know anything about reputations or anything. The boy certainly tugs him in the box."
The decision to defend Young this time is a far cry from Moyes’ comments following the 2-0 home win over Crystal Palace last month, when the winger was booked for trying to deceive the referee.
"I don't want my players diving. It's not what I want,” said an angry Moyes in September.
"Dikgacoi definitely throws his leg out but Ashley put his leg into his leg."
The change of tune may be a sign that the Scot is moulding into the job at Old Trafford, as defending players blindly was a strong trait of the majority of Sir Alex Ferguson’s reign.
The 0-0 draw leaves United on top of what is becoming a tight Group A with three points splitting the Premier League champions, Bayer Leverkusen and Shakhtar Donetsk.
Source: DSG
