David Moyes called on officials to give Adnan Januzaj more protection after the teenager was on the receiving end of a series of fouls in Manchester United’s 3-0 win over Aston Villa.
Januzaj’s header led to the first of Danny Welbeck’s double but manager Moyes was more concerned about the challenges the home side put in on him.
He said: “I don’t know how many tackles there have been on Januzaj. It’s for the referees to sort it out. Before you know it the boy will get a sore one because he is definitely not getting protected by the officials. It is terrible what they are allowing to go on at the moment.”
Matthew Lowton, the Villa right-back, was cautioned for fouling Januzaj but Moyes added: “There were that many tackles on him from different players. They were queuing up to kick him.”
However, Villa manager Paul Lambert said: “We are a young side and maybe sometimes over-exuberance gets the better of them but I have never sent them out to kick anyone.”
Welbeck struck twice in four first-half minutes. He was on hand to score after Januzaj had produced a salmon-like leap to head against the post. Then, when Antonio Valencia delivered a low cross from the right, a sliding Welbeck produced another finish.
“It is really important for Danny,” Moyes said. “He is a forward and needs to get himself goals.”
Welbeck could have completed a hat-trick while Wayne Rooney angled a shot just past the post. Rooney turned provider for the third goal, which was taken well by Tom Cleverley, as United recorded a first victory in five league games.
“The all-round performance was much more like us,” Moyes said. “We are getting closer to it but has to be more consistent and I am still looking for that to improve again.”
In another game on Sunday, Gary Hooper scored his fourth goal in six games as Norwich City came from behind to hold on to a draw at home to Swansea City.
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