Manchester United 1 CSKA Moscow 0 reaction: Ashley Young's diving criticised by Paul Scholes and fans on Twitter

The winger has a long-established reputation for theatrics

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

Manchester United winger Ashley Young was caught diving once again during his side’s 1-0 victory over CSKA Moscow, inviting scorn from fans and former players alike.

The 30-year-old, who has built a reputation for theatrics in recent years, fell unconvincingly in the penalty area after minimal contact from the away side’s Georgi Shchennikov.

Referee Szymon Marciniak was unconvinced but did not caution Young, who came into Louis van Gaal’s side as a makeshift right-back, replacing Matteo Darmian.

Young’s antics invited criticism from the newly-outspoken Paul Scholes.

The Old Trafford legend was forthright in his censure of his former teammate, saying: “Ashley needs to stop doing this. He knows that himself, but it's just a habit and he can't get rid of it.

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

“He's a really good player and he doesn't need to resort to those tactics, but I just think it's ingrained in him,” Scholes, who was covering the game as a pundit for BT Sport, added.

There were more frank assessments of Young’s diving on social media, where the channel’s anchor Gary Lineker was one of many to express disgust at the playacting.

Young has been publicly admonished for his diving by both of his previous managers at Old Trafford, Sir Alex Ferguson and David Moyes.

Louis van Gaal, however, is yet to openly criticise the player for his theatrics.