Man Utd fume at ‘baffling’ penalty decisions and Harry Maguire being sent off in their 2-2 draw with Bournemouth.
All four goals came in a dramatic second half, Bruno Fernandes opened the scoring from penalty spot on 61 minutes, with Ryan Christie then levelling with fine finish shortly after Man Utd were denied a second penalty.
A James Hill own goal put Man Utd in front again, Harry Maguire ended up being sent off for a foul on Evanilson and Junior Kroupi equalised from the spot.
Manchester United are left furious over “astonishing” refereeing decisions as two penalties were given and one was not in their draw at Bournemouth.
#BOUMUN – 59’
The referee’s call of penalty for a foul by Jiménez was checked and confirmed by VAR – with it deemed to be a clear pull on Cunha.
— Premier League Match Centre (@PLMatchCentre) March 20, 2026
#BOUMUN – 67’
The referee’s call of no penalty for a challenge by Truffert was checked and confirmed by VAR – with it deemed the contact was not sufficient for a foul.
— Premier League Match Centre (@PLMatchCentre) March 20, 2026
#BOUMUN – 78’
The referee’s call of penalty and red card for Maguire for the denial of an obvious goal scoring opportunity (DOGSO) was checked and confirmed by VAR – with it deemed to be a holding offence with no attempt to challenge for the ball.
— Premier League Match Centre (@PLMatchCentre) March 20, 2026
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick speaking to BBC MOTD:
“Disappointed – we created enough chances and had enough opportunities in the game. A big opportunity to go 2-0 up and we get one penalty and not the other. It’s exactly the same thing really – a two-handed grab. He’s [referee] got one wrong so, I don’t know which one but he doesn’t give us the second one. I think they’re both penalties and it’s a massive moment in the game and it ended up chaos after that. Massive moment and I don’t understand how you can give one and not the other – it’s crazy.
“It’s as obvious as you can get – you’ve already given one so to not give the other one. It’s clear, if that’s what he believes is a penalty to start with then the second one has to be. I don’t understand how you can’t give that. And then the goal and after that it was chaos. I was really pleased when we went to 10 men we saw the game out and took a point that’s a real positive. In the end the way it went you can lose those games so to take a point int he end we’ll take that but disappointed not to take all three.”
Harsh to send Maguire off? “Maybe – it ended up chaos at that time so decisions go in different ways and he’s made that decision. Ours should’ve been a penalty before, we would’ve had two penalties and then that wouldn’t have happened.
“Credit to Bournemouth the way they play – really energetic and positive and constantly test you. To go with 10 men for so long and having to make changes, the boys off the bench finishing the game did really well. Delighted with that seeing off the last moments that could’ve been really difficult but we coped well.”
On break between next game: “It is what it is. It’s not a problem. Boys are going away and it feels a lot because of the international break but we’ll be ready for Leeds when it comes.”
Carrick speaking to Sky Sports:
“A lot happened in the end. I thought we had good chances early. Some good chances, some really good chances. I thought we had enough to be ahead and a little more comfortable in the game. We found the goal, should’ve had another penalty. You get one, you must get the other. It’s pretty much identical for me, two-hand grab and so either way he’s got one wrong. To give one and not give the other, I just can’t get my head around it. It’s crazy. Because of that they go down the other end, they score and then it’s chaos after that, really.
“Disappointed with not winning the game after being up but under the circumstances with 10 men for what ended up being some sort of added time that we’ve not seen in a while, they decided to bring that one back, we managed that really well again and were really comfortable in managing that in the way we did it. So I was pleased with the way the boys finished the game. It’s easy to let the game slip away. They kept their heads and took the point, which in the end we’ll take the point and move on. Just the decision for the penalty, I don’t understand how you can be one and the other and give one and not. Mental.”
On how similar he believes both penalties were: “Where do you start, really? Listen, maybe he’s passed Harry [Maguire] and that’s the right decision and he’s given that. I haven’t got too much of a problem, I haven’t seen it back to be totally honest, but I think if he’s passed him and he’s in on goal, I can understand that decision, so I’m not going we deserve everything. But it shouldn’t have happened because we should’ve had another penalty and the game would’ve been totally different and then it ended up in chaos after that. It is what it is.”
On how big those moments are when things don’t go your way: “Massive. Absolutely massive. That’s what VAR was for. Clean it up and consistency. Surely whatever they think, if one’s been given there’s enough people to decide that it’s the same as the first. It’s two different decisions, so a bit baffling really.”
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes speaking to Sky Sports:
“Disappointed because we did enough to get three points. Had to finish with a lot of suffering and trying not to concede. Frustration onto ourselves because we could’ve gone 2-0 up and from that we conceded another goal. Not getting a penalty and then we get a penalty against where it’s the same situation as Amad – one is one, one is not. I know it’s difficult for the referee to give two penalties to the same team in one game but I don’t understand why VAR doesn’t get involved in that situation or with Harry [Maguire] because either one is a penalty and so is the other or none of them are.
“Amad is getting to a point where he’s going to shoot and he gets pushed – you can see that something puts him completely out of balance. It’s frustrating for the small players because they always say the small players are soft and when it’s the bigger players they end up giving the fouls. I think the other situation is a penalty but I also think the one on Amad is a penalty and that could’ve changed the game.”
On what Michael Carrick has done: “That’s always been part of the club. It doesn’t change with the manager in charge. Last weeks we’ve been positive with the result and that gives positive energy to the team to understand we can go anywhere and get results. We’ve been in very good form under Michael [Carrick] and today we had to suffer and we did get a point – we got something from it.
“What could be better is that we get three points in the next game which we couldn’t get today. Premier League is very tough and we have lots of competition. Aston Villa are close to us and Liverpool and Chelsea too. Our aim is to move forwards by keep getting points, we have to get away from them and the best way to do that is to keep getting points. If you want to get closer to the one in front of you you still have to get the three points.”
On turning a corner after criticism: “It will always be like that when you get results you get flowers when you don’t you get criticised it’s part of being a Manchester United player. Demand is very high from everywhere, a lot of people with eyes on the club because it’s massive. It’s a lot of eyes on us but if you decide to play for this club and you play here then you are a big player and have a big personality. There are highs and lows and you have to deal with them. “
🚨BREAKING: Michael Carrick rightfully CALLS OUT REFEREE Stuart Atwell for BAFFLING penalty decisions. 😡
Hopefully he WON’T be punished by @FA_PGMOL 🫣 pic.twitter.com/m8VLUqW7yu
— Man United Fan Club (@manufcnow) March 20, 2026
“If you look at the bigger picture, it’s five draws in a row…”
Andoni Iraola reflects on yet another draw for the Cherries 🍒 pic.twitter.com/XyLIZP5QOm
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 20, 2026
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraolia speaking to BBC MOTD:
“We wanted three points and we played well enough but they looked dangerous every time they came forward. We played really well and at the end, probably because we finished against 10 men, we were the closest team to winning it. It’s a challenging game against United.
“Now we have the advantage we can see replays quickly and I didn’t think there was anything in that one [Amad]. I think the Evanilson one and the Matheus Cunha one are both penalties because defenders lose the position and then the Amad one is never a penalty. We asked for one in the first half – Harry Maguire with two hands behind his back but I don’t think that was enough for a penalty either. I don’t think there is much to discuss.
“A draw against United is a good result. But 15 draws, some of those we deserved more. We have equalled record in the Premier League with 11 games but it’s going to be very difficult to beat it because we play Arsenal away next. We will have to be very good to beat that record.”
Iraola speaking to Sky Sports:
“I think a very entertaining game. I think we played well. We had good moments, good spells. It is true you didn’t need a lot to create chances and become a threat, so I’m happy for the performance. It’s a decent point always when you face [Manchester] United. It is true when you look at the big picture it’s five draws in a row and that doesn’t give you a lot in the standings, especially at the end, we were looking for the win.”
On coming from behind twice: “It has happened a lot this season. I think we are a team we are normally playing quite open games, the first goal is not as decisive as could happen in other games. Today we showed it. We were hoping to play a bit more time, especially against 10 [men]. I think we had good things, especially the first chance from Rayan against teams like this, you have to take.”
On his future and links to Athletic Club in Spain: “No, it doesn’t have anything to do with me. Probably as a supporter because it is my club but no it doesn’t affect the siuation. I’ve said it a lot of times I’m very happy here. I have a great relationship with the club and it’s true that we will have to take a decision according to this but it’s a situation I have had most of my years as manager. It is not new to me.”
Here’s the social media reaction as Man Utd fume at ‘baffling’ penalty decisions and Maguire sent off in the 2-2 draw with Bournemouth…
“contact was not sufficient for a foul.” 🤣
pic.twitter.com/XUu7XyQPKk https://t.co/okUWCZtVdW— AB⚕ (@AbsoluteBruno) March 20, 2026
@Malachians: Atwell didn’t give that because he gave the first one and VAR didnt give it because they wanted to support Atwell on the pitch. Stuart Atwell was absolutely petrified of the media response if he gave Utd a 2nd penalty and VAR wanted to support their colleague on the field rather than give the right decision. The arrogance of officials is something that needs addressing, I understand it’s a hard job but they’re deciding games every week more than the two teams on the field.
@AndyMk_83: We’re all a bit confused about the two penalty decisions but worry not, Dermot Gallagher will be in the @SkySportsNews studio on Monday to tell us how both decisions were absolutely spot on by the brilliant Stuart Atwell.
@_taylorlwalker: Can’t wait for the incoming fine and/or ban for what in reality is an extremely tame comment.
@Unitedeveryday: Exactly what I wanted to hear from him. Called out the diabolical officiating and also called out the 9 mins being added on for no reason. These refs need to be held accountable!
@JakeoUtd: to get someone as inoffensive and placid as Carrick to criticise the ref like this says a lot about how shocking him and VAR were tonight
@adamrenshaw97: Again there should be repercussions for them getting decisions like that wrong and they should stand in-front of the camera and explain what they saw at the time
@Conor_OShea7: Finally a manager for us, calling out the bullshit decisions against us that happen every game
@JoeBusbyBabes: His predecessors ETH & Amroim never moaned about ref decisions. Carrick was rightly not happy and I’m glad he said something.
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