‘Three In The Last Two Games’ – Why Manchester United Are Not Getting Penalties

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has a theory on why Manchester United are not getting penalties in the recent matches.

Cristiano Ronaldo wasn’t awarded two penalties at the London stadium, as the Red Devils ironically came close to dropping two points after a late decision in favour of West Ham. David de Gea’s heroics secured the win for Solskjaer’s side on Sunday.

United were denied another penalty against the same opponent in the Carabao Cup after Jesse Lingard went down in the box due to a pull from Mark Noble. Now, it seems the Norwegian is starting to see a pattern.

Ahead of the Premier League clash against Aston Villa, Solskjaer insisted there has been lack of penalty calls in his side’s favour since Jurgen Klopp raised issue over the number of spot-kicks United were getting. The comment from Klopp came after Liverpool’s loss to Southampton in January.

“We just have to hope we get what we deserve,” the United boss said. “We should have had three penalties in the last two games.

“There was a certain manager last year who was starting to worry about us getting pens and after that it seems like the decisions are more difficult to give. I’ve seen a big, big difference since then.”

Unlike against West Ham, United have been fortunate with regard to their next opponent.

The Old Trafford outfit have got three penalties in their last three league games against Aston Villa, with Bruno Fernandes successfully dispatching all of them from 12 yards. However, if the referee makes a decision which is to Solskjaer’s liking this weekend, the fourth successive penalty against Dean Smith’s men will be most likely taken by Cristiano Ronaldo instead of Fernandes.