Oliver Glasner says match official’s decision was due to “Old Trafford bonus”
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has questioned the referee’s decision to award a penalty to Manchester United in their league game at Old Trafford.
Crystal Palace had led at the interval and remained in control for much of the opening half. United began to force their way back and put pressure on Palace in the second half but a penalty decision and a red card made it even easier.
United were awarded the spot kick and a VAR review also resulted in defender Maxence Lacroix being dismissed for pulling back Matheus Cunha as he ran through on goal.
Glasner argued that the foul should have been awarded as a freekick rather than a penalty.
“There are a few different situations to judge but it still feels like it’s the wrong decision,” said Glasner. “It’s not a penalty, maybe a red card for a foul outside the box. But the foul starts outside the box. It’s maybe a little bit the Old Trafford bonus.”
According to football’s regulations, if contact begins outside the box and continues inside it then it is a penalty. Bruno Fernandes converted from the spot to level proceedings before Benjamin Sesko continued his recent scoring run, finding the net for a third successive match with a header to complete a 2-1 turnaround.
The victory was United sixth win in seven games under head coach Michael Carrick, whose side showed resilience after struggling to impose themselves early on.
“It’s the biggest thing for us to take from the game, really,” Carrick said. “It’s the first time that we’ve been in that situation going in at halftime.
“I thought we were a little bit off to start with. I think they started particularly well, so credit to them. At halftime it was about being in that position and how we react and showing that personality and the belief.
“Football is tough at times and this league is tough, so you’re never always going to have it your own way, but to then come back like we did in the second half and turn the game in our favour is the biggest thing for me to take from today for sure.”
