With no VAR in operation, the decision wasn’t reviewed
Jesse Lingard should’ve been awarded a first-half penalty against West Ham, according to Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
United exited the Carabao Cup at the third-round stage on Wednesday night after Manuel Lanzini’s ninth minute strike ensured that the Hammers progressed into the next round of the competition.
However, the Red Devils believe that they should’ve been awarded a penalty when Mark Noble appeared to drag Lingard – who scored nine goals and grabbed five assists whilst on loan at the London Stadium last season – to the ground after he had gained control of the ball inside the area.
The West Ham captain grabbed the shorts and shirt of the United attacker, but Referee Jonathan Moss instantly dismissed United’s claim and with no VAR in operation at this stage of the competition, there was no review possible.
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Speaking about the decision in his post-match interview with Sky Sports, Solskjaer suggested that Noble was ‘lucky’.
“I’d rather not say too much, but it’s a penalty again on Jesse,” said the Norwegian. “You can’t pull his shorts and his shirt when you’re on your way down.
“But Mark [Noble] was unlucky on Sunday and probably lucky with that one today.”
Sky Sports pundits Carlton Cole and Casey Stoney were in agreement with the United boss, suggesting that the home side were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty.
“On a normal day anywhere else on the pitch it’s a free-kick, it’s swung in Noble’s favour,” Cole told Sky Sports.
Stoney was quick to agree with her fellow pundit, stating; “I think that’s a penalty, anywhere else on the pitch and it’s a free-kick, he’s got a handful of shirt and shorts, it’s a penalty., he’s got away with one.”
Following Lingard’s late winner against West Ham at the weekend, David Moyes’ side will be more than pleased to have secured progression into the next round, as well as getting some revenge against the Red Devils.
Related links:
- De Gea saves last-gasp penalty as Lingard clinches late winner for Man Utd at West Ham
- Twitter account mocking De Gea’s penalty record responds to his West Ham save
- Marcus Rashford’s use of social media to be studied by GCSE media students
