David Moyes backs Manchester United’s Ashley Young over diving row

David Moyes has already spoken to Ashley Young about diving this season (Picture: PA) Manchester United manager David Moyes has backed Ashley Young after the midfielder was accused of diving to win a penalty in his side’s 0-0 draw with Real Sociedad.
Young went to ground under what appeared to be a soft challenge from Sociedad’s Markel Bergara on Tuesday night and although Robin van Persie missed the resulting spot kick, Young was widely criticised for his actions.
It’s not the first time this season the England international has been chastised by fans for earning soft decisions, with Moyes even saying he would speak to Young following United’s win over Crystal Palace in September.
But on this occasion Moyes has backed his player, insisting if anyone should be criticised it’s the officials.
‘The referee was two yards away from it. If anything you should be more talking about the referee than the player,’ said the Scot.
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Ashley Young has been widely criticised for his actions (Picture: AP)

‘He also refereed the Champions League final so you are expecting him to be as qualified as anybody.
‘The question should be ‘did the referee get the decision right or not’? For me, where I was, I definitely thought it was a penalty.’
Moyes appears to have changed his tune having admitted after Tuesday’s match he thought the penalty decision was strange.
But it seems United are now all pulling in the same direction with Sunday’s crucial Premier League match against Arsenal on the horizon.