Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen claims ‘game has officially gone’ after Man United penalty
Mike Dean #MikeDean
Manchester United ran rampant against Southampton on Tuesday evening in a 9-0 win but it was not without controversy.
The Saints were dealing with an injury crisis of their own, having to field two youngsters in the starting lineup and two goalkeepers on the bench.
It only got worse with a red card being shown in the opening minutes to debutante Alex Jankewitz. Man united went on to score nine goals without reply in a rout to truly earn all three points.
However, there were a number of decisions subject to debate. One instance saw the visitors to Old Trafford have a goal chalked off for offside by the skin of a kneecap.
United had a penalty decision overturned when it was adjudged a challenge took place just outside the box.
They were eventually awarded one however and it was one that had former Liverpool and United forward Michael Owen up in arms.
Antony Martial coming off the bench was ruled to have been brought down with less than 10 minutes to go and the home side already seven goals to the good.
Referee Mike Dean was instructed to take a look at the monitor, according to BT Sport commentary though it was not to rule on if it shouldn’t be a penalty but if further punishment should be made.
Jan Bednarek, who already had his name next to own goal, was subsequently sent off.
Owen, however, strongly disagreed and posted on twitter his thoughts, although he admitted he was glad it didn’t matter in the grand scheme of the result.
He said: “That absolutely sums things up.
“The best thing is it hardly matters. But if that’s a pen then the game has officially gone.
“Biggest example of a dive I’ve seen in ages. Shambles.”
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The result puts the Red Devils level on points with their local rivals Man City who remain top of the table on goal difference although they have two games in hand.
It leaves Liverpool four points behind both sides ahead of their clash with Brighton. They will also have the opportunity on Wednesday to retake the accolade of the leading goalscorers if they can find the net at least twice.