Pranav Nair
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer blasts referee Peter Bankes for making two crucial errors against Sheffield
Speaking to BT Sport (h/t Sky Sports), Manchester United manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has questioned two decisions made by referee Peter Bankes in the shock loss to Sheffield United.
The Blades had won just one game all season and went into the game as heavy underdogs. What followed was a shock that could impact United’s surprise title challenge.
A win on the night would have seen us get back to the top. Instead, we now trail Manchester City by a point having played a game more.
Solskjaer’s objections lie in two decisions that occurred at either goal. While Sheffield’s goal was allowed to stand, United saw theirs ruled out.
The Norwegian was unhappy that Kean Bryan’s opener was allowed to stand despite Billy Sharp impeding David de Gea.
“It’s a foul. Billy Sharp just runs into him (De Gea) so he can’t get up, so it’s a foul.”
The roles were reversed soon after when Harry Maguire contested with Aaron Ramsdale, before Anthony Martial looked to have drawn us level. Bankes, however, called a foul and disallowed the goal.
“No foul… but it’s this kind of season, inconsistencies, so it’s going to be unpredictable. But it’s two mistakes by the referee.”
Muggles, not wizards!
Solskjaer is under no doubt that the referee got both decisions wrong. Given how the match panned out, it is fair to say that these calls had a huge impact on the game.
To his credit, the Norwegian did not solely place the loss on the referee. He admitted that United was not at their best and failed to answer the questions that Sheffield posed of them.
“That magic was missing, that little bit extra. They defended well, fair play to them but we didn’t have the right ideas or solutions.”
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Skipper Harry Maguire too echoed Solskjaer’s thoughts after the game. However, the match is done and dusted and we will do well not to harp over the past.
United next travel to the Emirates to face a resurgent Arsenal side. It promises to be an intriguing contest.
