• Premier League

Moyes defends Januzaj after diving controversy

ESPN staff
December 22, 2013
Adnan Januzaj was booked for this tumble © PA Photos
Enlarge

David Moyes has defended Adnan Januzaj following his booking for simulation against West Ham, but the Manchester United manager reiterated his point that referees need to protect the youngster more.

Januzaj received a yellow card after taking a tumble ahead of West Ham's James Collins, but while Moyes has revealed he will speak to Januzaj about diving, he believes the problems have been caused by the high number of dangerous challenges that his player faces every game.

"If you look at the last two games and the amount of tackles that this boy has had to take, he has had more than any other player," Moyes said of Januzaj, who scored one and created another goal in the 3-1 victory over West Ham.

"He thought he was going to get scythed down. He's been getting kicked in every game. We'll talk to him about it but I said last week that there were a lot of people having a kick at Adnan because he's very difficult to mark and he's elusive the way he moves.

"It can bring defenders into tackles but it's the referees that have to call it right. I just hope that they don't wait until he gets a bad one before they get it right."

Following the victory over Aston Villa last weekend, Moyes called for referees to offer more protection for Januzaj.

Download ESPN's new UK sport app, a fresh and powerful new way to follow your favourite UK sports news, scores and video.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
ESPN staff Close

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices