United manager has no sympathy for his own player

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 center of drama in Moyes's first victory at Old Trafford on Saturday, winning the pivotal penalty on the stroke of halftime 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' 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 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 center-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.

Palace manager Ian Holloway was tight-lipped when asked his opinion on Young's behavior 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."

(China Daily 09/16/2013 page24)