Manchester United's Adnan Januzaj becomes second most booked player for simulation in Premier League history
Adnan Januzaj has jumped above team-mate Ashley Young to become the second most booked player for simulation in Premier League history.
The Manchester United winger picked up his fifth yellow card of the season against Tottenham on New Year's Day when referee Howard Webb booked him for diving after a tangle with Danny Rose.
Januzaj, who has seen yellow three times for going to ground too easily, is now behind only Gareth Bale in the all-time list of top-flight divers, despite making just 14 appearances.
Diving has always been a bookable offence under the FA's unsporting behaviour law, but in 2008 mandatory yellow cards were introduced for simulation in a bid to combat an increasingly common problem within the English game.
Bale, who swapped England for Spain in a world record move to Real Madrid last summer, developed a reputation for diving at Tottenham by picking up a total of seven yellow cards during his time at the north London club.
But Januzaj's three bookings, which have come in only 14 league outings - eight of them starts - make him arguably the Premier League's worst offender.
The 18-year-old, who is enjoying his debut season in United's first team, was booked for simulation in wins against Sunderland and West Ham before Wednesday's incident at Old Trafford.
The youngster is now level with Chelsea's Fernando Torres in the all-time table, with a number of players sitting on two bookings, including Young, Liverpool's Luis Suarez, West Ham front-man Andy Carroll, United forward Javier Hernandez and former Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli.
Januzaj's bookings have ensured David Moyes' side top the bookings simulation table for this season with a total of four, with Young having been shown yellow for attempting to win a penalty against Crystal Palace back in September.
Credit: Joe Strange/SportsMail
The Manchester United winger picked up his fifth yellow card of the season against Tottenham on New Year's Day when referee Howard Webb booked him for diving after a tangle with Danny Rose.
Januzaj, who has seen yellow three times for going to ground too easily, is now behind only Gareth Bale in the all-time list of top-flight divers, despite making just 14 appearances.
Diving has always been a bookable offence under the FA's unsporting behaviour law, but in 2008 mandatory yellow cards were introduced for simulation in a bid to combat an increasingly common problem within the English game.
Bale, who swapped England for Spain in a world record move to Real Madrid last summer, developed a reputation for diving at Tottenham by picking up a total of seven yellow cards during his time at the north London club.
But Januzaj's three bookings, which have come in only 14 league outings - eight of them starts - make him arguably the Premier League's worst offender.
The 18-year-old, who is enjoying his debut season in United's first team, was booked for simulation in wins against Sunderland and West Ham before Wednesday's incident at Old Trafford.
The youngster is now level with Chelsea's Fernando Torres in the all-time table, with a number of players sitting on two bookings, including Young, Liverpool's Luis Suarez, West Ham front-man Andy Carroll, United forward Javier Hernandez and former Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli.
Januzaj's bookings have ensured David Moyes' side top the bookings simulation table for this season with a total of four, with Young having been shown yellow for attempting to win a penalty against Crystal Palace back in September.
Credit: Joe Strange/SportsMail
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