Michael Carrick was left pointing the finger at the officials after Manchester United were denied a crucial penalty in a 10-man draw against Bournemouth.
The controversial match, filled with several contentious incidents, left the United manager visibly frustrated as he departed the Vitality Stadium.
Bruno Fernandes slotted home his penalty to put the Red Devils in front, before Ryan Christie levelled from the edge of the box, and although James Hill’s own goal put the visitors back in front, Junior Kroupi’s late penalty earned a draw.
The point keeps the visitors in third, but they will feel hard done by after believing they should have had a penalty just before Bournemouth went up the other end and equalised. At 2–0, the game would likely have been out of reach and far more comfortable for United. Although they will not lose third spot, the cushion they once had could quickly disappear if results elsewhere go against them.
However, Carrick’s side showed resilience to avoid defeat with 10 men and can take positives, though they will feel hard done by not to have taken all three points.
"I am disappointed not to have won the match after leading, but given the circumstances, 10 against 11, during extra time we had not seen in a while, we managed the situation very well," the United boss said.
"It was exactly the same thing: a two-handed grab. The referee got one of the two wrong, I do not know which one, but he did not award us the second. I think both were penalties and it was a crucial moment in the match. I do not understand how you can award one and not the other, it is crazy.
"The lads finished the match strongly, it is easy to let the game slip away, but they kept their cool and took the point.
"Maybe he sent off Harry [Maguire] and that was the right decision. It does not really bother me, I have not reviewed the incident to be totally honest. If he sent him off and found himself one-on-one with the goal, I can understand that decision, so I am not going to say we deserved everything," Carrick added*.*
"But it should not have happened because we should have had another penalty and the match would have been totally different."