IN THE LAST three seasons, no Premier League player has “won” more penalties than Ashley Young.
Deemed to have been fouled in the box on nine separate occasions since the beginning of the 2009/10 season, the winger’s record eclipses that of his former Aston Villa teammate Darren Bent (7), Didier Drogba (5) and centre-half-botherer par excellence, Luis Suárez.
Thrown into sharp relief by the winger’s involvement in two contentious penalty decisions in the past fortnight, it’s a statistic that’s helped popularise the notion of Young as the Premier League’s most egregious diver.
Now, following a week in which the 26-year-old has endured high-profile criticism from sources as diverse as Bryan Robson and unofficial club fanzine Red Issue, Sir Alex Ferguson has intervened to calm the situation.
“I have had a word with Ashley,” said Ferguson. ”He understands where we are coming from. Hopefully it makes a difference.”
Though he admits the Young’s histrionics coloured United’s victory over Aston Villa, the Scot remained firm in his commitment that Ciaran Clark’s phantom challenge amounted to the denial of a clear goalscoring opportunity.
“Last week, if the player doesn’t bring Ashley down he is going to score,” said Ferguson. “It was a clear goalscoring 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…”
The issue has diverted attention from this weekend’s crucial fixture between Manchester United and Everton, a game the champions elect will likely need to win if they’re to preserve their lead at the summit of the Premier League.
