Despite What Roy Keane Says Ashley Young Is a Vital Player for Manchester United

Roy Keane gave Ashley Young both barrels during his analysis of Manchester United's clash with CSKA Moscow, but the Old Trafford great was wide of the mark.

In his role as an analyst for ITV Sport, Keane laid into Young on the subject of the latter's apparent dive against the Russian outfit. Keane said (h/t the Guardian), "I think the guy’s a disgrace, and if he’s a Man United player, I’m a Chinaman." 

The former United captain went on to say:

"

[It's an] absolute disgrace; he’s done it far too many times. Look at that. Absolute disgrace. And I just hope players are getting a hold of him, whether it be the manager or some of the senior players.

That shouldn’t be accepted at Man United. That’s absolutely disgraceful.

"

Of course, diving is a frustrating part of the football-watching experience for all but the most cynical of fans. And Young, of course, has plenty of history of attempting to trick referees. Keane is right when he says Young has "done it far too many times."

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However, there are a couple of problems with Keane's assertion. Leaving aside what could best be termed as an old-fashioned use of language, there is a certain double standard being applied.

The winger has been marked out as a diver—and justifiably so—but he is not alone, and plenty of United greats have had trouble staying on their feet.

Indeed, Keane himself was sent off for a dive against Blackburn Rovers in 1995, albeit few would accuse the Irishman of being a regular simulator.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Adnan Januzaj and Ander Herrera have all been known to anticipate contact, to put it kindly.

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Wayne Rooney, United's captain, on the verge of becoming the club's all-time top goalscorer, reportedly apologised to Preston North End goalkeeper Thorsten Stuckmann after diving to win a penalty against PNE in last season's FA Cup tie between the teams.

Stuckmann was quoted by the Sun (h/t the Guardian) as saying "After the game Rooney told me: 'Sorry, it was my chance to get a penalty. I had to use that.'"

It was not Rooney's first such offence.

Whether diving is any more of a disgrace than physically dangerous tackles—something Keane and many of his legendary contemporaries were certainly prone to—might be a question of taste, although being on the receiving end of a dive is certainly less likely to damage a player's career.

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The real problem with Keane's quote is the assertion that Young is somehow not worthy of being considered to be a Manchester United player.

Young will not go down as one of the club's all-time greats, but there is no shame in that. Not everyone can be Roy Keane or Ryan Giggs.

Under Sir Alex Ferguson, Young was, without doubt, an attacking player. He struggled under David Moyes—as many players did. Under Louis van Gaal, though, Young has undergone something of a reinvention as a utility man.

He has filled in a left-back, left wing-back and lately at right-back—indeed, it would be no surprise to see him start there on Saturday against West Bromwich Albion. He also played on the left wing for Van Gaal to great effect at the end of last season.

He has done his best to embrace the culture of the club off the pitch too. He sat in with United's away fans at St James Park in 2012. He has been full of praise for United's support—something that could be interpreted from a cynical perspective but has been consistent enough to seem heartfelt.

He is not one of the club's greatest players, and the diving is unfortunate. However, Keane is misguided in saying Young is not a Manchester United player—even in a metaphorical sense.

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A player who tries his utmost, who is prepared to follow his manager's instructions on where to play without complaint, a player who seeks a connection with the fans and who seeks to play direct, attacking football where he can should certainly be considered "a Man United player."

Keane is a bona fide United legend, but he is wrong on this one.