Manchester United’s draw against Bournemouth has ramifications for UCL qualification, but the discussion is dominated by referees.
Referee Stuart Attwell was at the centre of multiple debatable (read: wrong) decisions which cost Man Utd two points against Bournemouth.
Michael Carrick couldn’t believe it after the game as he called out the referees, and Bruno Fernandes fully agreed with him.
However, Owen Hargreaves has a different theory as to why the most stonewall-looking penalty on Amad wasn’t given. It doesn’t reflect well on the officials.
Bournemouth v Manchester United - Premier League
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Should Michael Carrick be cut some slack because of the decisions that went against Man United?
Manchester United were awarded one penalty vs Bournemouth but denied another just before the equaliser…
Michael Carrick comments on penalty decision in Manchester United vs Bournemouth.
Credit: Getty Images.
Owen Hargreaves’ theory on Amad penalty not given
The whole Amad penalty incident was extremely crucial, as just moments after, the Cherries ran to the opposite end and equalised.
In an ideal world, United would be awarded that penalty, double their lead, and snuff out Bournemouth’s attempts to come back into the game.
It would have been United’s second penalty of the day after Matheus Cunha won one to send United on their way.
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Therein lies Hargreaves’ theory, as he is convinced that the referee just didn’t want to give United multiple penalties in the same game.
He said: “Michael Carrick was furious that Amad didn’t get this, you know, the second penalty. But I think because they gave the first one, and it was medium soft.
“I think Amad, there’s a touch on him, but I think he goes down too theatrically. I do think they are there’s a bit more contact from the Maguire one, and I can understand why that one was given. I think because Man United already got one before that on Cunha, I don’t think they were inclined to give a second away.”
United clearly feel wronged, whatever the reason, because they are taking formal steps to escalate this issue by filing a complaint with the PGMOL, as per Andy Mitten, who adds that the club officials are ‘furious’ at the decision.
Man Utd will be incensed if Hargreaves’ theory has weight
Hargreaves’ theory on Amad’s penalty incident looks too conspiracy-like, but it’s impossible to forget that referees do their job with some subconscious feeling.
Are you fed up with referees and VAR – What is the solution to poor officiating?
David May did not hold back his his view…
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It’s why a foul that gets called anywhere on the pitch isn’t given inside the box, because it can affect the game more directly.
In the same manner, there is weight behind Hargreaves’ theory that the referee might have given that penalty had United not already scored one earlier.
And if that’s the case, then United will be incensed, because they’ve just been subconsciously punished by the referee for having tricky attackers running into the box at speed.
Carrick calling out the referee after the game should help turn that narrative back to United’s side to an extent, because it has swung far too much to the other extreme.
You know things are bad when a conspiracy theory like the one above seems completely on point with what United have had to endure this season.
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