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.
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