Young's blatant cheating has to stop – Hamann

Simon Stone

FORMER Liverpool star Dietmar Hamann believes Ashley Young will cut his career short unless he stops diving.

Hamann has accused Young of "blatant cheating" to win a penalty in Tuesday's Champions League encounter with Real Sociedad.

Manchester United manager David Moyes, who has spoken out strongly against diving in the past and censured Young earlier this season when he was booked for simulation against Crystal Palace, has defended the England wide man in this instance.

However, Hamann does not believe there was any justification for Young's reaction to the faintest of touches from Markel Bergara.

And he has warned Young of the consequences unless he stops such acts in future.

"I would say to Young, 'If you want to stay in the game for the next 10 years, you've got to cut that out'," Hamann said.

"I just think it's in him. It will be very hard for him to cut out. It's gone too far now."

Indeed, so outraged was Hamann over Young's conduct, he has claimed it is worse than Luis Suarez, who has been castigated over such antics in the past.

"Ashley Young is much worse than Suarez has ever been," Hamann said.

"It's blatant cheating to try to win a penalty. You've got to be very careful because sometimes it's about protecting yourself in anticipation of a challenge.

INSTINCT

"If someone comes to clatter you, your first instinct is to jump in order to protect yourself.

"(With Young) there was no protection (issue), it was a slight touch on his arm and he started rolling over."

Not even Robin van Persie's failure to convert the spot-kick has saved Young from the ire of his fellow professionals.

Former United skipper Roy Keane claimed the winger had "conned" Italian referee Nicola Rizzoli, while another ex-Red Devils captain Ray Wilkins was equally scathing.

It remains to be seen how Moyes responds when he faces the media again later this week ahead of United's crucial Premier League encounter with Arsenal at Old Trafford.