Dermot Gallagher has insisted that there is one “slightly different” detail between the penalty against Harry Maguire and Manchester United being denied a spot-kick against Bournemouth.
Manchester United saw out a 2-2 draw against Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium last Friday evening after being reduced to 10 men in the Premier League clash.
Stuart Attwell pointed to the spot for Bournemouth late in the second half and brandished a red card for Harry Maguire in a controversial sending off.
Maguire was dismissed from the pitch after the 33-year-old England and United defender brought down Bournemouth forward Evanilson in the Red Devils’ box.
READ MORE: Gary Lineker reacts to Man Utd ‘twist’ vs Bournemouth as Alan Shearer fully agrees over pundit’s assessment
Harry Maguire reacts towards referee Stuart Attwell after he is shown a red card during the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Manchester United at the Vitality Stadium in 2026 in Bournemouth, England.
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Dermot Gallagher compares the Harry Maguire incident with another controversial Bournemouth vs Man Utd moment
Eli Junior Kroupi stepped up and sent Senne Lammens the wrong way to seal a crucial Bournemouth equaliser against Manchester United in last Friday’s clash.
United fans were already furious well before Harry Maguire was sent off after Premier League referee Stuart Attwell dismissed the Red Devils’ penalty appeal.
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Amad Diallo had been brought down in the Bournemouth box and the Cherries’ immediate counterattack produced a Ryan Christie equaliser in the 67th minute.
Speaking on Sky Sports’ Ref Watch, Dermot Gallagher claimed that Attwell should have awarded a penalty on both occasions instead of picking only one in the match.
“This one is slightly different,” he said.
“When you see them together [the Maguire and Amad incidents], you say either both are penalties or only one of them is a penalty.
“Whichever way the referee jumps, you expect him to jump the same way twice. He may well think he made a mistake with the first one, and look and think this one is a penalty.”
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Are you confident Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven can handle Leeds with Harry Maguire suspended?
What did you think of Maguire's sending off vs Bournemouth?
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Sky Sports pundit Jay Bothroyd also reacted to Stuart Attwell’s refereeing after Dermot Gallagher’s Man Utd assessment
The Red Devils were left deeply frustrated by the officiating in the match and Man Utd made a complaint to the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL).
United’s complaint was aimed at the Red Devils being denied a penalty against Bournemouth, with Jay Bothroyd questioning Stuart Attwell’s decision-making.
“I would like to hear the referee come out and say something about that,” the Sky Sports pundit added in the studio alongside Gallagher.
“No-one likes to see mistakes, but it will be a little bit better if the referee comes out and speaks.
“There’s less contact with the Amad one, but Evanilson’s first touch made him get in that position. Both are penalties.”
United hold a one-point lead over fourth-place Aston Villa going into the March international break after their Premier League result at the Vitality Stadium.
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