Ole Gunnar Solskjaer suggests rival managers are attempting to ‘influence referees’ with penalty complaints
Jurgen Klopp and Jose Mourinho both highlighted the number of penalties United have been awarded
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes rival managers draw attention to Manchester United's number of penalties in order to influence referees, following pointed comments by Jurgen Klopp and Jose Mourinho.
After Liverpool’s defeat by Southampton at St Mary’s on Monday night, Klopp claimed that United had won more penalties in the past two years than his side had during his five-year tenure at Anfield.
Those remarks followed Mourinho aiming a thinly-veiled jibe at Bruno Fernandes, United's penalty-taker and top scorer this season.
READ MORE: Bailly is back but United need to show patience
While praising Son Heung-Min’s prolific form in front of goal without the benefit of spot-kick duties, the Tottenham manager said: “Some players score 10 goals a season on penalties and I’m not speaking about Harry Kane, by the way.”
Solskjaer was uncertain about Klopp’s claim when it was put to him ahead of United’s EFL Cup semi-final with Manchester City tonight, insisting that he does not pay attention to how many penalties other teams win.
But the United manager went on to suggest that rival managers may be highlighting United’s penalty-winning in order to put pressure on officials and recalled comments by his Chelsea counterpart Frank Lampard before last season's FA Cup semi-final.
“I can’t talk on behalf of other managers, why they say things like this," Solskjaer said. “Obviously I felt it worked last year in the semi in the FA Cup because Frank spoke about it and we had a nailed-on penalty that we should have had that we didn’t get so maybe it’s a way of influencing referees.
“I don’t know, but I don’t worry about that. When they foul our players it’s a penalty. It’s just when it’s inside the box.
Solskjaer later returned to the subject of that Chelsea semi-final - one of three that United lost last season - adding: “Anthony [Martial] came on and he should have had a penalty. They are fine margins when you get to a semi.”
When asked specifically about Klopp's claim, Solskjaer deferred to his Anfield rival.
"And that’s a fact, probably? That is probably going to be my answer,” he said. “That’s a fact that we have got more than him but maybe they should… well, we’ve had… I don’t know how many penalties they’ve had.
“I don’t count how many penalties they have, so if they want to spend time on worrying about when we get fouled in the box, I don’t spend time on that.”
Klopp was in fact wrong to claim that Liverpool have been awarded fewer penalties during his time in charge than United under Solskjaer, but United’s rate of winning penalties is much higher and the overall numbers are close.
United have won 42 penalties in 115 games under Solskjaer - including 27 in the Premier League - while Liverpool have been awarded 46 during Klopp’s 289 matches - including 30 in the league - dating back to October 2015.
In this season’s Premier League, United have won the joint second-most penalties alongside Brighton and Hove Albion with six in total. Liverpool join Chelsea and Fulham in having won five. Leicester City lead the way with 10 spot-kicks.
Solskjaer’s United earned a reputation for winning penalties last season when they finished their campaign with 22 in all competitions, including 14 in the league - the most of any top-flight club.
United required a Fernandes spot-kick to beat Aston Villa last Friday, with the Portuguese converting after Douglas Luiz was judged to have brought down Paul Pogba inside the box.
That win and Liverpool’s defeat at St Mary’s has left United level on points with Klopp’s reigning champions and with a game in hand away at Burnley next Tuesday. Solskjaer’s side then travel to Anfield on 17 January.
Despite the United manager's suggestion that Klopp and other rivals may be attempting to apply pressure to referees, it is understood that the Football Association will be taking no action against the Liverpool manager over his remarks.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments