QPR chief blasts 'diver' Ashley Young: 'He could partner Tom Daley at the Olympics'

Ashley Young was branded a diver as Manchester United took another giant stride towards a 20th league title.

QPR chief executive Phil Beard pointed the finger at Young after the United winger won a contentious penalty at Old Trafford which saw visiting skipper Shaun Derry shown a straight red card.

Wayne Rooney converted the 15th-minute spot-kick before Paul Scholes sealed the win for United with a long-range strike 22 minutes from time.

Writing on Twitter, QPR chief Beard said: “Difficult to take after watching numerous replays but Ashley Young could partner Tom Daley at the Olympics.”

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson admitted his side were lucky to have been awarded the spot-kick, particularly as Young was at least a yard offside when he received the ball prior to the challenge.

“I thought it was offside,” said Ferguson.

“I have to say Ashley was a yard offside so I can understand QPR being angry and disappointed in that.

“You see decisions like that every week.

“I think their boy had a little tug on Ashley. Not a great deal, but enough to get us a penalty.

“It was unfortunate but being the last defender he had to be sent off.

“But it didn’t help us at all. I was actually more confident before they got a man sent off in terms of the speed of our play and movement.

“After that we just went into a comfort zone. But the second goal calmed everyone down.”

QPR boss Mark Hughes was incensed at the failure of the officials with regard to the first goal and said: “The ref was a little bit too quick to put the whistle to his mouth.

“It was clear the initial run was offside, there was minimal contact with the challenge and Young has gone over far too easily.

“We just want referees and officials to get the big decisions right, and they haven’t covered themselves in glory this weekend.

“These are massive decisions that affect people’s livelihoods. You should have confidence that the referee will make key decision, but lately a lot of managers have lost faith in it.

“It’s a difficult job, you have to be clear and you have to be 100 per cent right to give a decision. At the moment I think people are guessing. But I don’t know the answer.”

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Aug 2010-present Penalties Won

Ashley Young 7

Luis Suárez 5

Cesc Fábregas 3

Peter Odemwingie 3

Adam Johnson 3

Jerome Thomas 3

Aaron Lennon 3

Theo Walcott 3

Jonathan Walters 3

Victor Moses 3