Manchester United defender Harry Maguire slammed the referees after his controversial red card during Manchester United’s 2-2 draw with Bournemouth in the Premier League on Friday, March 20. Maguire was given his marching orders in the 79th minute for a foul on Evanilson inside the penalty box as he was deemed to have stopped a clear goalscoring opportunity. United were leading 2-1 at this point and Eli Junior Kroupi stepped to convert from the spot to give the home side a point at the Vitality stadium.
However, fans and pundits were left fuming as United were denied a spotkick similarly during the 67th minute when they were leading 1-0 in the contest. Amad Diallo was brought down inside the box by Adrien Truffert, and then the Cherries went on to score at the other end as the Bournemouth defender escaped without a card.
Taking to Instagram after the game, Maguire said that the decision was a soft one but claimed that it was state of the game at this point in time, despite the presence of VAR. The United defender said that he expected that both decisions should have ideally been the same.
“So soft but that’s where football is at atm and I should know better. You would think both decisions would reach the same outcome. We will be back after the break. Safe travel home reds , your support has been unbelievable,” said Maguire.
WHAT DID CARRICK SAY AFTER THE GAME?
Manchester United’s interim coach Michael Carrick was fuming after the game and slammed the call from referee Stuart Attwell. Carrick said that both challenges should have been penalties and was shocked to see his side not get one for the challenge on Diallo.
“I think they’re both penalties and it’s a massive moment in the game, and it ended up chaos after that. Massive moment, and I don’t understand how you can give one and not the other, it’s crazy,” Carrick told the BBC.
“If that’s what he (Attwell) believes is a penalty to start with, then the second one has to be. I don’t understand how you can’t give that.”
The result meant that United head into the break in third spot with 55 points from 31 matches. They had the chance to strengthen their push for a UEFA Champions League spot with the win, but the stalemate has now opened the door for Aston Villa, Liverpool and Chelsea to cut the gap to the Red Devils.
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