Manchester United are to make a formal complaint to the head of referees at PGMO, claiming they should have been awarded a second penalty in the 2-2 draw at Bournemouth on Friday.
Sky Sports News understands the Man Utd hierarchy are furious at the failure of the VAR to intervene when Amad Diallo went down in the box under pressure from Adrian Truffert. United were 1-0 up at the time, thanks to a Bruno Fernandes penalty and expected to double their lead had the penalty been given. To compound United’s anger, Bournemouth made it 1-1 moments through Ryan Christie.
Manchester United boss Michael Carrick said it was “crazy” that Harry Maguire was sent off and gave away a penalty for a foul on Evanilson, but Truffert escaped punishment for an “identical” challenge on Diallo. Junior Kroupi scored Bournemouth’s spot-kick, meaning United dropped two points in their battle for the top five.
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FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from Bournemouth’s match against Manchester United in the Premier League
Sky Sports News understands this isn’t the first time United have complained to PGMO for VAR decisions this season, and there is particular anger at this incident, because they feel it cost them an eighth win in 10 Premier League matches and two more crucial points in their battle with Aston Villa, Liverpool and Chelsea for a Champions League place. The bosses at Old Trafford will tell the PGMO they expect an explanation from the head of referees, Howard Webb.
“We should have had another penalty,” Carrick told Sky Sports. “Obviously, if you get one, you must get the other.
“It’s pretty much identical for me, two-hand grab. Either way, [the ref] got one wrong, but to give one and not give the other, I can’t get my head around it. I think it’s crazy. It’s a bit baffling, really.
“Because of that, they score and then it’s chaos after that, really. We should have had another penalty and the game would have been totally different.”
Fernandes added: “We get a penalty against [us] where more or less it’s the same situation as Amad.
“One is rewarded as a penalty, the other one not. I know it’s difficult for the referee to give two penalties in the same game for the same team but what I don’t understand is why VAR doesn’t get involved in that situation.
“Either one is a penalty and the other one too or none of them is a penalty.”
However, Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp took a different view.
“It would have been incredibly harsh,” he said. “You can see Truffert is being aggressive with him. He does sort of manhandle him a bit, but I just don’t think it’s enough for it to be a penalty.”
Carrick: We are in a good place
Reflecting on the bigger picture, with his team third in the Premier League and well-placed for Champions League qualification, Carrick said: “We’re in a good place. We’ve put ourselves in this position through some good work, good results and good performances.
“We could have had more tonight but it’s not the end of the world.
“We’ve made some improvements. There are things we can improve on, and we can get a lot better.
“I’m happy with the way things have gone, but we’re not satisfied. We definitely want more.”
