Ferguson 'has a word' about Young diving
Reuters - Friday 20 April 2012, 10:45
Ashley Young's theatrical
antics on the pitch have earned him comparisons with British
Olympic diver Tom Daley, but they may be at an end after
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said on Friday he had
"had a word" with the player.
Young has been accused of diving during United's recent
matches against Queens Park Rangers and his former club Aston
Villa with critics rounding on him for going down too easily to
earn his side penalties.
Chelsea's Didier Drogba fuelled the debate about simulation
with his regular bouts of rolling around in apparent agony
against Barcelona in midweek, although his manager Roberto Di
Matteo saw no problem with his antics.
Ferguson, speaking to reporters at United's Carrington
training ground before Sunday's match against Everton at Old
Trafford, said he had spoken to the 26-year-old England winger
about his actions.
"I have had a word with Ashley," said Ferguson.
"He understands where we are coming from. Hopefully it makes
a difference."
Ferguson added: "Last week [against Villa], if the player
doesn't bring Ashley down he is going to score. It was a clear
goal-scoring opportunity.
"He caught him and he did overdo the attempt to get a
penalty. I am not sure he tried to get the penalty but he
certainly went down quickly.
"But people have reacted because it is Manchester United."
However, Ferguson said he thought diving was again becoming
prevalent in the game.
"I watched Real Madrid and Bayern Munich the other night and
it was absolutely ridiculous, players were diving and rolling
about, nothing like what Young has been accused of," he said.
"Then you see the other night in the Chelsea game, we are in
an age where you expect it now."
Drogba, who scored the only goal in his side's 1-0 win over
Barcelona, was widely criticised in the media and by some
present and former players for going down far too easily
throughout the game.
Asked about the criticism of Drogba on Friday, however, Di
Matteo said: "Everybody is entitled to an opinion, but he was
marked by two men for most of the game and came under a physical
battering, so we have to be objective in our reaction.
"Our players are fair. Everybody has their own style but we
are a fair team. He was very helpful to the team [against
Barcelona], gave us an outlet and scored a vital goal so we were
pleased."