“It’s unfortunate to have that decision against you”
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insisted that Aston Villa’s winning goal was offside and slammed the reaction of the Villa players prior to Bruno Fernandes’ missed penalty in added time.
The visitors scored late thanks to Kortney Hause’s 88th minute header to secure all three points at Old Trafford and condemn United to their first defeat of the Premier League season, but third in four games in all competitions.
However, the Red Devils manager has claimed that Villa’s goal was offside and therefore shouldn’t have counted.
“Obviously disappointed because the goal is offside. It’s unfortunate to have that decision against you,” bemoaned Solskjaer when speaking to Sky Sports after the game.
Despite conceding late, United had the chance to level proceedings in injury-time when they were awarded a late penalty after goalscorer Hause handled the ball inside the penalty area.
The responsibility fell on the shoulders of Fernandes, who had scored 13 Premier League penalties prior to his spot-kick.
However, the Portuguese international skied his shot high over the bar, failing to hit the target with a penalty for the first time in his career.
Before he could take the spot-kick, he was surrounded by Villa players – something that angered Solskjaer immensely.
🗣 "The way they get around the penalty spot and Bruno, that's not to my liking."
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was frustrated with the way the Aston Villa players reacted during Manchester United's penalty pic.twitter.com/LYYkM9gfaB
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) September 25, 2021
“First of all the way they get round the penalty spot, get round Bruno and all that, that’s not to my liking. Bruno is usually very good in those positions and unfortunately he missed this one,” he said.
“It doesn’t get in Bruno’s head. He’s strong mentally and he’ll step forward again. The decision (on who takes penalties) is made before the game.”
After losing to West Ham in the Carabao Cup in midweek, as well as suffering defeat against Young Boys in the Champions League the week before, United have now lost three times in their last four games.
Understandably, the Norwegian noted that this was a ‘concern’ for the Red Devils.
“When you lose games it’s a concern of course it is,” he told Sky Sports.
Man Utd don’t have to wait long for the chance to bounce back from their disappointing defeat as they host Villarael – the side that beat them in the Europa League final in May – on Wednesday night in the Champions League.
Related links:
- Bruno Fernandes’ woeful last-gasp penalty seals shock Man Utd defeat
- David Moyes reveals how Marcelo Bielsa derailed Man Utd title win
- Nuno admits Spurs are ignoring new heading limit guidelines in training
