Wayne Rooney marred an otherwise impressive performance in Manchester United's Champions League draw against Villarreal by trying to hoodwink the referee into a awarding a phantom penalty.
Under pressure from Fabricio Fuentes, the England striker took a tumble in the box and was lucky not to receive a yellow card for his troubles.
The normally robust 22-year-old's fans would be disappointed by his actions, and he was suitably remorseful after the game.
Sir Alex Ferguson told The Sun: “It is uncharacteristic of Wayne. He thought he was going to be tackled and made the most of it. But he has seen it again and apologised to me.”
Former Arsenal star Robert Pires was in the Villarreal ranks, and Ferguson didn't waste the opportunity to have a dig at the Frenchman.
The United boss said: “You don’t usually see it from him (Rooney). Maybe he had been watching Robert Pires too much. At least he said sorry. You would not hear Pires saying that, bloody hell!”
Another player who spent plenty of time kissing the grass at El Madrigal was Cristiano Ronaldo, the Red Devils' star winger.
The Portuguese international was perhaps United's most influential player despite being marked especially closely by Manuel Pellegrini's side.
Ferguson added: “There is systematic fouling of Ronaldo. It is a tactic.
“One player fouls him, then another player and then someone else. Eventually the ref thinks he is diving all the time.”
irregardless, I do hope that Rooney cuts it out of his game.. it is like cancer, it will spread..
as for pires, another story altogether.
The Manchester United and England striker underlined his determination to stay on his feet during games ? even if a growing number of players around him are dropping like flies.
He said: “I’d never dive. I’d like to think of myself as an honest player. That’s the way I play. I don’t like diving, football doesn’t need it.”
Roo is itching to get back on England duty this weekend after his suspension for the red card he received at the World Cup against Portugal.
Rooney, 20, admits that dismissal brought tears to his eyes.
He told FourFourTwo magazine: “It was a horrible moment and a horrible night.
"Personally, I felt I’d let the players down. I was sad and depressed rather than angry. The players told me not to worry, that it wasn’t my fault.
“I appreciated that. And that’s when I felt a few tears in my eyes. I don’t cry often ? and I hadn’t cried when I’d been sent off.”
But Rooney has vowed to keep playing the same, combative way.
He added: “I play the game the way I see it and if that means going in for a tackle then I’ll do it.”
Yea, Rooney attempted two very obvious dives.
and as for Ronaldo, opposition clearly trying to kick him out of the game