SOCCER:ALEX FERGUSON is concerned that if Ashley Young attracts a reputation for diving it could cost Manchester United a vital penalty when the winger is genuinely fouled in the area.
In United’s past two games, against Queens Park Rangers and Aston Villa, Young has appeared to go down dramatically, winning United a spot-kick on each occasion, while provoking criticism for his actions. The United manager defended Young yesterday by stating that each was the correct decision though he concurred with the view of a former club captain, Bryan Robson, that referees may start to rule against Young.
“That’s the point I’m making. It’s the referees’ assessment of it – it’s the referees’ decisions now, really. If it’s a penalty kick it’s a penalty kick. We didn’t get one against Wigan in the week [the 1-0 defeat 10 days ago] and we didn’t scream from the rooftops. We realise it happens. You get bad decisions, you get good decisions and it evens itself out, believe me.
“[The referee] Mark Halsey’s absolutely perfectly right [against Villa] it’s a penalty kick – absolutely no doubt. The only fault is that Ashley went down too easy but it’s a penalty. If he [Ciaran Clark] doesn’t stretch his foot out and take him, it’s a goal. He’s eight yards out, clear path to goal, goalkeeper’s actually on his line. It’s a goal.”
Ferguson has spoken to Young about his future approach in the area. “I watched the games this week – Real Madrid and Bayern Munich [in the Champions League] the other night – and it was absolutely ridiculous,” the manager said. “Players diving and rolling about. Nothing approaching what Young is accused of and the way the press have reacted is because it’s Manchester United. Absolutely no doubt about that.
“And you see it the other night in the Chelsea game. I think we are in an age of almost expecting it now. I’ve had a word with Ashley. He understands where we come from and hopefully [that] makes a difference.”
Ferguson pointed to Ryan Giggs as a prime example of a United player who does not dive, saying the Welshman has won only five penalties in his two decades at the club. “If a player goes down and it’s a clear penalty, it’s a penalty kick.
“We have a player who has done that and he has been here 20 years. How many penalty kicks has Ryan Giggs got for Manchester United? That’s a good quiz question? Five in 20 years. There’s some record. You know why? Because his balance is good and he never goes down. That’s the amazing thing about him.”
United host Everton in the midday kick-off tomorrow hoping to re-establish an eight-point advantage in the title race for a few hours at least, as Manchester City play later at Wolves. Ferguson has total trust that his side can continue to win in their attempt to capture a 20th championship.
“There’s good performers out on that field and they are playing with great determination, which you need to do at this time of the season,” he said. “And they’ve got great experience of handling big game situations which we are going to face in the next few weeks. So I trust them, I let them get on with it. I think it’s the right time to do that. They are a good bunch of lads, they want to win the league. Hopefully we can achieve what we want to do.”
Wayne Rooney’s 178 goals put him only one behind George Best’s and Dennis Viollet’s club total and Ferguson believes he will go on to beat Bobby Charlton’s United record of 249. “It’s fantastic. It will happen of course, hopefully it happens Sunday,” the manager said of the striker who has 31 this campaign. “But it will eventually happen and it’s a marvellous achievement.”
Guardian Service
