Interim coach fuming after Bournemouth were awarded a penalty for a similar incident
Michael Carrick says it was “crazy” for VAR not to award Manchester United a clear penalty, only to then award one to Bournemouth minutes later under similar circumstances.
United appeared on course for victory at the Vitality Stadium after going ahead shortly after the hour mark, but the game later turned following two contentious incidents inside both team’s penalty areas.
First Amad Diallo was judged not to have been fouled despite apparent contact, and Bournemouth immediately hit on the counter to level. Then after United had retaken the lead, referee Stuart Attwell chose to award Bournemouth a penalty and show Harry Maguire a red card after the England defender apparently grabbed Evanilson.
Carrick was frustrated by what he saw as inconsistent decision-making.
“I think they’re both penalties and it’s a massive moment in the game, and it ended up chaos after that,” said United’s interim coach. “Massive moment, and I don’t understand how you can give one and not the other, it’s crazy.
“If that’s what he believes is a penalty to start with, then the second one has to be. I don’t understand how you can’t give that.”
From the cusp of victory, United were eager to take a draw after Maguire’s dismissal left them one-man down with nine minutes to go on the south coast. Carrick was nonetheless pleased with his players for digging in to secure the draw.
“To go with 10 men for so long and having to make changes, the boys off the bench finishing the game did really well,” said Carrick. “Delighted with that. Seeing off the last moments – that could’ve been really difficult, but we coped well.”
United remain third in the Premier League with 55 points, four points ahead of Aston Villa in fourth. They do not return to action until mid April.
Carrick said: “Boys are going away, and it feels a lot because of the international break, but we’ll be ready for Leeds when it comes.”
