Manchester United defender Harry Maguire was booked for diving in the first game of the season against Fulham - and viewers did not hold back in mocking him.

The centre back burst into the penalty area in the first half at Old Trafford and, after anticipating contact from Emile Smith Rowe, tumbled to the ground.

Multiple replays quickly showed he had not been touched by his opponent, however, and referee Rob Jones was quick to show him a yellow card.

Maguire protested the decision but the caution pushed him onto the back foot against Fulham's physical frontline on the opening day of the new campaign. 

Social media users wasted no time in ruthlessly tearing apart the simulation.

There were even brutal comparisons to the diving actions at the Paris Olympics, with Maguire jokingly reminded that the events had already come to an end. 

'Someone let Harry Maguire know that the Olympic gold for diving was already won last week,' one X user posted.

'Maguire had a keen eye on the diving pool during the Olympics I see,' another said.

Alongside several crying laughing emojis, a third added: 'Maguire diving looked like the most awkward thing I’ve ever seen on a football pitch.'

A fourth said: 'Harry Maguire getting a yellow card for diving. Embarrassing.'

Maguire was handed a start ahead of big-money new signing Matthijs de Ligt with Erik ten Hag choosing to name the Netherlands international on the bench. 

But after 80 minutes, Maguire was replaced by De Ligt, seemingly through injury.

More to follow.