Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was left fuming at referee Stuart Attwell's failure to award Manchester United a penalty in Sunday's 0-0 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
In a game that saw the two sides largely cancel each other out, United were controversially denied an early opportunity to take the lead.
A Marcus Rashford free-kick was parried back into the danger zone by Edouard Mendy, with Mason Greenwood and Callum Hudson-Odoi subsequently drawn towards it.
The Chelsea man's hand was raised and came into contact with the ball, with the VAR urging Attwell to review the incident on the pitchside monitor.
However, he stuck to his initial decision of not awarding a penalty and it left Solskjaer bemused.
When asked by Sky Sports if he felt United should have had a penalty, Solskjaer said: "Yep, 100 per cent."
Then asked if he could understand Attwell's decision, he added: "No, not at all, especially when they stop it [the game in order to review the incident] and he walks across to watch it.
"For me, you can see it's a handball but you think it's our player who does it and they [the Chelsea bench] are shouting it's handball for our player and then look at the video and it's taken two points away from us."
United left-back Luke Shaw claimed in another post-match interview with Sky Sports that Attwell had told captain Harry Maguire awarding the penalty "would cause a lot of talk about it after".
Although clearly aware of the accusation, Solskjaer did not explicitly repeat it, saying: "I can't say, because that's not going to be good for him [Attwell]. Of course it is [concerning]."
Shaw's exact words were then put to Solskjaer and again he expressed dismay, then going on to vent his anger at pre-match comments published on Chelsea's website that highlighted Maguire's recent brushes with VAR, suggesting such content can influence referees.
He added: "Exactly. Well, I didn't say it [Shaw's comments], so I don't want to cause controversy, but it's not right, is it?
"It's all this outside influence, even the VAR talk before the game here, that's cheeky, when they put that on the website – that's influencing referees.
"Go back and look at the website. You can read it, what they are saying about controversy and Harry Maguire – it's putting pressure on the referees for penalties against us."
Brendan Rodgers says meeting the Pope a ‘real privilege’ and ‘life achievement’
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has described his meeting with the Pope as a “life achievement”.
Rodgers was part of a delegation of Celtic coaches, players and directors who were granted a private audience with Pope Francis on Wednesday morning, following their Champions League defeat by Lazio in Rome the previous night.
Rodgers said: “It was obviously a real privilege for us all to have the invitation to go there.
“It was a really humbling experience and it felt like a life achievement to meet him. It was so nice, everyone that came out of the room that morning felt really privileged and really honoured.”
Pope Francis told the Celtic delegation that while winning was always preferred, it was not the most important aspect.
Quoted on the Vatican website, he added: “More vital is the example you give when winning or losing, both on and off the field. An example that embodies the virtues of courage, perseverance, generosity and respect for the God-given dignity of others.
“Indeed, Celtic Football Club was founded in 1887 with the specific goal of alleviating poverty in the city of Glasgow. This was truly a charitable undertaking for the sake of the most needy of our brothers and sisters.
“Yet, how much the world of football has changed since then. In particular, the financial footprint of the ‘beautiful game’ has greatly increased, and at times can risk making football only attractive for reasons of monetary profit.
“The valued legacy of your club, then, places a heavy responsibility upon your shoulders, reminding you to be good role models, especially for young people.”
He’s doing well – Erik ten Hag sticks up for under-fire Andre Onana
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has defended under-fire Andre Onana and insisted the Cameroon international is among the best goalkeepers in the Premier League.
Onana has repeatedly been in the spotlight since United spent £47million on the 27-year-old this summer to replace David De Gea, and although it had been felt his form was improving in recent weeks, Wednesday’s 3-3 draw against Galatasaray was a clear setback as he was at fault for two goals.
Onana also made a mistake for a goal in United’s Champions League defeat against Bayern Munich, but while he has struggled in Europe, Ten Hag pointed to the statistics that say Onana is second in saves made, save percentage and goals prevented in the Premier League.
“If you analyse it well then you see he is the second best goalkeeper in the Premier League based on stats, so his expected defending goals is the second best in the Premier League,” Ten Hag said.
“He’s doing well. Also he knows that in the Champions League he makes some mistakes but all over you see the first five months he is doing particularly well.”
Onana will face another major test on Saturday evening when United travel to Newcastle, who are on a five-game winning streak at St James’ Park.
But Ten Hag does not expect Onana to suffer any hangover from Wednesday night.
“You have seen how he is reacting on a bad performance like in Munich,” Ten Hag said.
“At Burnley (three days later) he was outstanding. He is a strong character, he is a personality and he will deal with it.”
United said on Friday that left-back Tyrell Malacia, yet to feature this season after knee surgery, is on course to return early next year after requiring a second operation.
Mason Mount was also back in training on Friday but there is no timeframe yet for the midfielder’s return.
Mount’s absence has helped open the door for 18-year-old Kobbie Mainoo, who excelled in last weekend’s 3-0 win over Everton at Goodison Park and was impressive again in Istanbul.
“He showed on Sunday (at Everton) he was ready,” Ten Hag said. “It looks like he always has time.
“He is scanning, he is running free, he is scanning to see the options and make the right decisions. He can delay, can speed up, he makes the right decisions.”
Saturday’s trip to the north east is a third straight away game for United, and another intimidating atmosphere after they faced an angry Goodison Park and the bear pit that is Galatasaray’s Rams Park.
“I really respect them,” Ten Hag said of Newcastle. “It’s a difficult team to play but it’s a good challenge and I like to play against it.
“We have to rise to the occasion, be our best against them because the way they play is very organised.”
United go into the game on the back of five wins in their last six Premier League games, having put a rocky run of domestic form behind them to close in on the top four.
It stands in contrast to their European form, but Ten Hag believes performances have been good across the board.
“On Wednesday, we played very good, also in Copenhagen,” he said. “Even in Bayern Munich we played very good. But we have to do some things better.
“Eliminate individual errors, defensive transition, but we can sort this out and I would be more concerned if we didn’t play well.”
EFL leading scorer Jake Young ‘just wanted opportunity’ after Mark Hughes snub
Jake Young has outgunned Erling Haaland this season after proving his worth.
The striker – on loan at Swindon from Bradford – has 16 goals in 20 games and is the top league scorer in England.
Young is two ahead of the Manchester City goal machine after netting again in Tuesday’s 4-3 win at Accrington.
Seven goals in his last six games have fired the Robins to within a point of the Sky Bet League Two play-offs, with Young having also smashed in four against Crawley in August.
It has left the 22-year-old top of the pile and taking the extra attention in his stride.
“It’s not something I think about on the pitch but when I get off and I’ve scored another one I’ll have a little look. I’m sure Haaland isn’t looking if I’ve scored for Swindon though,” Young told the PA news agency.
“I normally look at the League Two ones first but since Haaland’s been mentioned I’ve had 10 to 20 people sending me screenshots (of the goal table).
“I think there was something on Twitter the other day and I had a lot of people sending me that one – but it’s not counting my Champions League goals!
“It’s nice but for me it’s not a shock. I know I’m capable of this. It’s definitely something I feel like I’ve worked for.
“Without trying to sound arrogant, I know I can score and play at this level. I’ve just wanted the opportunity to prove it.”
Young’s time has come after a frustrating and lonely initial spell at Bradford under Mark Hughes.
The Robins looked at a permanent deal in the summer but he could now be recalled by the Bantams in January.
It would be a dramatic return after being dumped by former boss Hughes, who was sacked in October, training with the kids, loaned to Barrow and not even joining the first team squad for the summer’s pre-season trip to Spain.
Having signed a four-year deal after joining from Forest Green in 2022 Young was frozen out despite scoring twice in three league starts.
“It was mainly one man’s opinion and that’s fine, that’s football. My view was he’s got me there, give me an opportunity to improve. That’s all I was looking for,” said the former Sheffield United youngster, who won League Two with Forest Green under Rob Edwards.
“I wasn’t looking to play every minute but when I’d been on the pitch I’d shown I could affect games to at least be an option off the bench.
“I just wanted to learn and improve and I didn’t really think I got the opportunity but football’s about opinions.
“I was 21 and to be deemed not good enough three months into a four-year deal was tough, especially when it’s somewhere I wanted to be.
“It something you’ve always wanted to do and when you find yourself not enjoying it anymore that’s the hardest part.
“It’s something I’ve learned from and I won’t take these spells I’m in now for granted because I know how hard I’ve worked physically and mentally to get here
“It’s not necessarily about proving people wrong but more proving myself right that I belong at this level and higher. This is the player I know I am.”
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