Harry Maguire slams referee Peter Bankes after Man United’s shock loss to Sheffield United
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Harry Maguire pointed the finger at referee Peter Bankes after Manchester United were stunned by bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United at Old Trafford on Thursday night.
Maguire claimed that Bankes was wrong to disallow a United equaliser for his challenge on goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, having already allowed the Blades’ first goal to stand after Billy Sharp appeared to knock David de Gea.
‘It’s incredible,’ said the United captain who went on to equalise in the second half. ‘There’s no doubt that Billy Sharp’s is more of a foul than what I did. Maybe people will say both aren’t fouls, but not David’s isn’t and that one is.
Harry Maguire was furious after Manchester United had an equaliser ruled out after his challenge on Sheffield United goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale
Maguire protests to referee Peter Bankes after United’s goal was disallowed at Old Trafford
‘I jumped for the ball. I don’t think I touched the keeper, he touches me in the back, my arms are nowhere near him. I think the referee will look back and know he’s made a mistake.’
His manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer also claimed that United were the victims of an injustice, saying: ‘The first goal was a foul. Sharp runs into him (De Gea). Other end was no foul. That’s two mistakes by the referee.
‘The big moments went against us. That’s how it is, it’s that kind of season – inconsistent and the referee missed those two.’
However, Solskjaer was honest enough to admit that his team didn’t do enough as they suffered a shock defeat.
‘The second goal we conceded is so poor. We lost the ball easy but we stopped getting out to the ball,’ he added. ‘We didn’t create enough. There was no magic, no space to run into.
Bankes has come in for criticism from United after Wednesday’s shock Premier League loss
‘There is no time to feel sorry for yourself. It’s happened, we look at it, agree it is not good enough and go again.’
Blades boss Chris Wilder paid tribute to his players as they celebrated the club’s first win at Old Trafford in 38 years.
‘The players are jumping about in there and they have every right to, it’s been a tough old season,’ said Wilder. ‘I’m not saying an incredible escape is on but I want to show what we are about.
‘It’s a long time to wait for a win at Old Trafford and it’s a special result, and a special performance. We’ve talked about big moments and this is one with a touch of luck with the winning goal.
‘Phil Jagielka will get a rocket for allowing Harry Maguire to score but he held it together back there.’
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was also critical of the refereeing performance on Wednesday night
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