MANCHESTER UNITED head coach Michael Carrick admits he is “confused” by refereeing decisions after the Sunderland winger was not sent off for fouling Bruno Fernandes.
late on in Sunderland’s goalless draw with United but no foul was given by referee Stuart Attwell.
Bruno Fernandes was unhappy about Angulo’s contact Credit: Getty
Fernandes was struck by Angulo
Fernandes complained about the contact but there was no intervention by VAR for possible violent conduct.
Carrick expressed his fury at decisions that went against United in the 2-2 draw with Bournemouth and 2-1 home defeat to Leeds United last month.
And the 44-year-old revealed that Fernandes was “not happy” about Angulo’s foul.
Carrick said: “To be honest, I haven’t seen it. Bruno said there was contract and he wasn’t too happy about it when he came in.
“The staff on the bench weren’t too happy with it as well.
“I’m getting a little bit confused about what’s going on really, so better off staying out of it.”
in his 15th game in charge.
The club are still not guaranteed to finish third in the Premier League but can be mathematically certain if they beat Nottingham Forest next Sunday.
'Not the way I saw it', say ex-Prem ref Mark Halsey
FORMER Premier League referee and SunSport columnist Mark Halsey had his say on the clash between Nilson Angulo and Bruno Fernandes…
“Late in the second half at the Stadium of Light between Sunderland and Manchester United, there was an incident between Bruno Fernandes and Nilson Angulo.
“I think Bruno was looking for a red card for an act of violent conduct.
“That’s not the way I saw it.
“Obviously, Bruno’s got the ball, Nilson Angulo has come from behind, leading with his forearm, and he does just brush Fernandes around the side-top of the neck and face.
“For me, it’s not violent conduct.
“VAR was absolutely spot on not to get involved because it’s subjective. So VAR wouldn’t get involved in that. They’d only get involved if they felt it was a clear and obvious error for violent conduct, which it wasn’t.
“So in my opinion, I do think that Nilson Angulo was lucky not to receive a yellow card, a caution for reckless use of the arm, because he did lead with his forearm.
“I was surprised referee Stuart Attwell didn’t see it in real time, but the game is so fast these days, it does make it difficult sometimes.”
United did not have an attempt on target until added time at the Stadium of Light after Carrick made five changes to the starting XI.
“It was a tough game,” he added. “Credit to Sunderland, we knew it was going to be a tough game coming here anyway.
“We had to dig deep at times, it wasn’t our best but to take something from the game when you’re not at your best is a good trait that we’re trying to build as well.
“There were obviously changes and sometimes you’re trying to find that rhythm a little bit, which is understandable.
“But I still quite liked a lot of the things that gave us the foundation to play better at certain times.
“But to take a point and a clean sheet for what it is is okay.”
Carrick started Joshua Zirkzee and Mason Mount, who made their first starts in four months.
Lisandro Martinez came in for only his 11th start of the campaign while Noussair Mazraoui started for the fourth time in five months.
Man Utd ratings vs Sunderland as Lammens bails out team-mates after even Bruno Fernandes struggles
SENNE LAMMENS bounced back to earn Manchester United a hard-fought draw against a lively Sunderland side on Saturday afternoon
After a poor error against Liverpool last week, the goalkeeper once again proved to be worth his weight in gold – just £18.2million worth last summer – as his saves helped Michael Carrick‘s much-changed outfit avoid defeat.
United were second best all over the pitch with even Bruno Fernandes strugging.
The visitors, who remain third in the Premier League table, failed to have shot on target until stoppage time after scoring in every game since November.
Sunderland dominated all areas and were unlucky not to pick up all three points, with Sharel Geertruida smacking the post late on.
Here’s how SunSport’s
But Carrick dismissed any suggestion that United players’ performance levels dropped with Champions League qualification already secured.
“I almost get offended by that when people accuse us of that,” he said.
“The way the players prepared the game, the way they left the changing room, we faced a tough game.
“If we weren’t in a good headspace and motivated, we lose the game today.
“Sunderland played really well at points of the game and made us really work for it.
“The fact our pride in ourselves and each other, the responsibility of playing for this great club and being part of it.
“The motivation and focus is not the reason why we’re not going to be brilliant or have a performance that is a bit more challenging.
“That won’t be the case.”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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