Roy Keane slams diving Ashley Young as 'an absolute disgrace' after Manchester United's Champions League win

'If he’s a Manchester United player, I’m a Chinaman,' said Keane

Former Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane (Getty Images)

Roy Keane has called Manchester United winger Ashley Young “an absolute disgrace” for his dive in Tuesday night’s Champions League win over CSKA Moscow.

The 30-year-old has received widespread criticism for going to ground easily after minimal contact from defender Georgi Shchennikov in the penalty area.

Young, who has earned a reputation for diving over the last few years, failed to convince the referee Szymon Marciniak he deserved a spot-kick but escaped a caution for simulation.

Keane, commenting on the incident as a pundit for ITV, joined Paul Scholes, Gary Lineker and thousands on social media in condemning the former England international’s playacting.

"If he’s a Manchester United player, I’m a Chinaman,” Keane said. “It's absolutely disgraceful.

"The senior players need to get hold of him. That shouldn't be accepted at Manchester United.

"That's not leaving your leg in. That's different. It's the somersault he does, it's an absolute disgrace."

Manchester United winger Ashley Young goes over in a challenge against CSKA Moscow (Getty Images)

Young’s tendency for theatrics was publicly criticised by both Sir Alex Ferguson and David Moyes during their respective times in the Old Trafford dugout.

"Maybe once or twice can be seen as a mistake. But he's done it nine or 10 times and he's done it at his previous clubs." added Keane, who was once sent off after diving during a Premier League fixture against Blackburn Rovers in 1995.

On the night of the game, Scholes, a former teammate of both Young and Keane, was equally as critical and described Young’s conduct as “embarrassing”.

"Ashley needs to stop doing this. He knows that himself, but it's just a habit and he can't get rid of it,” he said, speaking as a pundit on BT Sport.

"It's so obvious and he just needs to get this out of his game. It is embarrassing and Ashley knows it."