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Januzaj picking up his yellow card for 'simulation'. Richard Sellers/EMPICS Sport

Moyes defends Januzaj dive

The Scot has backed his young star.

MANCHESTER UNITED MANAGER David Moyes defended Adnan Januzaj after he was booked for simulation in the side’s 3-1 win over West Ham.

Januzaj scored an excellent goal for United to double their lead during the first half on Saturday at Old Trafford, showing excellent skill to skip past James Collins and place an effort beyond West Ham goalkeeper Adrian.

Danny Welbeck and Ashley Young also scored for the Premier League champions as United moved to seventh, but 18-year-old Januzaj was booked for diving late in the first half.

The teenager has already been booked for simulation this season – in the same match he scored twice on his full debut at Sunderland – but although Moyes reiterated his stance against diving, after previously speaking out against Young for it, he stood up for Januzaj.

Asked if he supported players diving, Moyes said: “Definitely not. I’ve had a chance to see it and I think he believes he is going to get sized.

“He has been kicked in every game, upside down. But we will make sure and do everything that we can to make sure it doesn’t happen.

“Everybody can see the talent the boy has got. He has got great composure and he is a very good player.

“He is 18 – he has had a lot of games – maybe more than he would have thought. I thought he has warranted his place, though.”

Moyes hailed his team for their professional display against West Ham after United won a league match at Old Trafford for the first time in nearly six weeks.

“We are (delighted). We are pleased,” he added.

“We played well, we scored three goals and on another day we might have scored more.”

Moyes added that striker Welbeck – who went off early in the second half with an injury – was suffering from a knee problem, while he also lauded the efforts of substitute Young.

Young, who also scored in United’s 2-0 League Cup win at Stoke City on Wednesday, came off the bench to seal the win before Carlton Cole’s late consolation.

On Young’s goal, Moyes said: “It was a magnificent finish.

“He got a great goal in midweek and really made sure he put the game to bed with his goal.”

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    Mute Teddyzigzagbigbag
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    Jan 8th 2018, 8:09 PM

    I presume one of the clubs was united! Not a transfer window goes by where he’s not linked to them

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    Mute William Motley
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    Jan 8th 2018, 8:25 PM

    “To be honest ,my choice to come here was to play football” … R u Having a giggle m8?

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    Mute Tricksy
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    Jan 8th 2018, 9:05 PM

    I have a very sneaky suspicion this is about money ????????

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    Mute Graham
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    Jan 8th 2018, 8:14 PM

    Where is Quatar?

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    Mute Fin Tastic
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    Jan 8th 2018, 8:18 PM

    @Graham: It’s half way between Quarter and Qatar.

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    Mute Graham
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    Jan 8th 2018, 8:25 PM

    @Fin Tastic: Love the way they change the spelling but leave my comment here. Such integrity. Any reputable site has an E&OE where they acknowledge all errors.

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    Mute Graham
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    Jan 8th 2018, 9:53 PM

    @Dave Murray: nah, not at all… Will keep saying it though… Someday there might be some journalistic integrity here.

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    Mute JarvisOFlaherterahry
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    Jan 8th 2018, 10:12 PM

    @Graham: love the way people moan about tiny meaningless mistakes in free articles

    If you don’t find it a ‘reputable site’, don’t use it

    If you want credit for spotting the mistake, well done you, Graham

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    Mute Graham
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    Jan 8th 2018, 10:37 PM

    @JarvisOFlaherterahry: don’t want any credit, just remove my comment if fixed. And look behind who runs this site, don’t be so naive, and miserable.

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    Mute Joe Kennedy
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    Jan 9th 2018, 1:14 AM

    @Graham: had a bad day Graham had we?!

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    Mute Cathal Stack
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    Jan 9th 2018, 8:55 AM

    @Graham: If they removed your comment, you’d probably be complaining that they had censored you!

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    Mute Kieran Rooney
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    Jan 8th 2018, 10:54 PM

    I hope Wesley can take a good look at himself every night, knowing that thousands of innocent people have been killed whilst constructing stadia in that country. I wonder if the authorities still have his passport??
    People need to make themselves aware of the scandal that is World Cup 2022 in Qatar. Click on the following link…… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJYXgMigfpo

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    Mute John Boyle
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    Jan 8th 2018, 8:38 PM

    He is finished end off

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    Mute William Motley
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    Jan 8th 2018, 10:27 PM

    @John Boyle: had he even started? The epitome of overrated

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    Mute Marc
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    Jan 9th 2018, 12:59 AM

    @William Motley: Treble winning season 2010? Was brilliant for Inter

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    Mute Ní maith liom mná
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    Jan 8th 2018, 8:50 PM

    Guess he read the rubbish newspapers too

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