Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has waived away reports that Ashley Young dived in yesterday’s match with Aston Villa, instead claiming that the attacker made the most of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ciaran-Clark-c9247’s challenge.
The Red Devils hosted http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Alex-c4752 McLeish’s men at Old Trafford and while the game proved to be a one-sided affair in the favour of the home side; it was not without its share of controversy.
United took the lead inside 6 minutes, with former Aston Villa star Ashley Young incurring the wrath of the Lions’ faithful with a clear cut dive after Ciaran Clark put in a challenge inside the box.
The referee pointed to the spot and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Wayne-Rooney-c36736 held his nerves to convert his 31st goal of the season.
While the Villans had been battling bravely throughout the opening stages, the hosts were piling on the pressure in search of the elusive 2nd goal.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s men were finally rewarded for their efforts with a strike from http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Danny-Welbeck-c10233 on the stroke of half-time.
Things remained the same for the majority of the match but United were able to kill off the tie with Rooney netting his 2nd of the night. The http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Shay-Given-c33284.
Luis http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Nani-c27299 also enjoyed his return to the team after he added the icing on the cake with a goal in stoppage time.
However despite the scoreline, all eyes were focused on Ashley Young’s dive, although Sir Alex Ferguson did his best to deflect the attention from the England man.
"I think he played for the penalty. The player decides to put his foot in and doesn't straighten his own feet and read the situation, then he's fallen into that,” he said.
"He's there for the taking. I think it was a dramatic fall, I think maybe he overdid the fall. But it was a penalty, there was no doubt about that. I don't think there can be any complaints as he does take him.”
"Good defending has always been good defending. He's a young lad, don't forget, and if they read the game and keep their feet they should really cope with that.”
United edge closer to their 20th title, after maintaining their five point lead at the top of the Premier League table.
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