United View: Reds held on South Coast

Manchester United go into the final international break of the season sitting in third, with a favourable distance between them and fifth place. 

A point on the road to Bournemouth in their previous game was by no means a bad result but could have been better had the referee’s decisions gone in favour of the Reds.

United have found the Vitality a difficult venue to attend, but on Friday night, they were the better team for much of the contest, taking the lead through a Bruno Fernandes penalty in the second half.

United appealed for another penalty when Amad was shoved to the ground by Adrien Truffert, but it was waived away by referee Stuart Atwell. 

Bournemouth then went up the other end to score.

A James Hill own goal saw United go back in front before Bournemouth had a penalty of their own when Harry Maguire fouled Evanilson, for which he was shown a red card.

It looked to be a foul on Amad in real time, and perhaps VAR didn’t want to disallow a home team goal to award a penalty at the other end, but it completely changed the outcome of the game. 

If the referee gives it, as he should have, United go 2-0 up and likely see out the game.

Instead, they have to settle for a point and are fortunate not to lose the game, after having to see out the remainder of the game with ten men. 

United will now look to make a formal complaint to the PGMOL over what they consider to be a pattern of bad officiating. 

Stuart Atwell was the referee who disallowed Lisandro Martinez’s goal against Burnley back in January.

In his post-match press conference, Michael Carrick said, “He’s definitely got one of them wrong because he’s not given one penalty for us for the same reason he’s given the other. One he gives for the grab on Matheus [Cunha] and the second one he doesn’t. I think they’re identical.”

“For me, it’s two penalties. It’s a huge moment, and they then go down the other end and score. Then it all of a sudden becomes needing to be a bigger penalty to get it overturned just because they scored. It’s baffling, really, trying to make sense of that.”

Thankfully results over the weekend went in United’s favour with Liverpool and Chelsea both losing, keeping the gap between United and sixth place at seven points. 

Although Aston Villa now sit only one point behind the Reds, following their 1-0 win over West Ham.

United will likely need ten points from their remaining seven games, which would leave them on 65 points, to secure qualification to the Champions League. 

A remarkable turnaround from last season, taking full advantage in a season where United’s rivals have faltered.

United now have an extended break until their next game against Leeds United at Old Trafford, before a trip to Stamford Bridge against Chelsea. 

Two sides who have something to play for, but the Reds should be confident of a result.

The issue is how United navigate this prolonged period without first-team football, keeping players match fit ahead of the final run-in. 

Although it’s extra time for injured players to recover.

Should Lisandro Martinez and Mathijs de Ligt still be unavailable, Ayden Heaven will have to partner Leny Yoro at the back, given Maguire will be suspended for this game. 

It’ll be a very young defensive partnership; however, they’ve both shown they have the quality.

Michael Carrick will be hoping his side can navigate Maguire’s absence and wrap up Champions League qualification as quickly as possible, so the club can begin planning for next season.