Were United Cruelly Denied?

Is Jose Mourinho right to feel aggrieved after Mark Clattenburg ignored two penalty appeals in Manchester United's 2-1 defeat to Manchester City?

The eagerly-awaited Manchester derby saw Pep Guardiola's City edge fierce rival Mourinho's United, to take all three points from Old Trafford on Saturday. 

Making his debut for the visitors, City goalkeeper Claudio Bravo could have been shown red in the second half for a rash challenge on Wayne Rooney inside the box, but the Chilean went unpunished.

Just moments later, a cross from Antonio Valencia struck the elbow of Nicolas Otamendi inside the area, resulting in strong penalty appeals from United as Mourinho's men trailed by one goal. 

So, what do you think? Should United have been awarded a spot-kick, or even two?

Jose Mourinho - Man. United Manager

The incidents that went unpunished left Mourinho reeling when he spoke to Sky Sports after the game.

The Portuguese, who insisted his side should have been awarded two spot-kicks, said: "I am very disappointed with two decisions from Mark [Clattenburg], because it's a penalty and a red card for Bravo. If you tell me that that's not a penalty and a red card, I'll tell you that for sure outside the box it is a free-kick and a red card. Inside the box it has to be the same, but obviously even the best referees make mistakes, and he made a big one.

"The second one is also a penalty, Otamendi is a penalty, you can tell me he has no intention, I think he has intention. The arm behind the body, he knows that the cross is not going in his face, it's going in his back, and he drops the elbow back, so two penalties."

Graeme Souness - Sky Sports expert

Graeme Souness believes Bravo should have been sent off for the challenge on Rooney, saying: "He's shown his studs. He's come out, he's left the ground. His touch isn't good and he knows he's risked losing this. Wayne Rooney comes on in and he risks getting a real bad one, if breaking his leg there. He's caught him with his studs. That was a sending off when I played!"

The former Liverpool captain said the second incident should also have resulted in a penalty for United, adding: "I'm going to be his [Mourinho's] new best friend - I should think it is [a penalty]. I think Thierry [Henry] doesn't agree but I think it is. The fact that it was the back of his arm - it's still his arm and we see those given all the time. I think it's no different if it hits the front of your arm or the back. Your arm is out from your body and it stopped a cross."

Neil Custis - journalist on the Sunday Supplement

Sunday Supplement guest Neil Custis, of The Sun, believes Bravo should have been punished, saying: "Mourinho is spot on about the Bravo challenge. It's a penalty and a red card. It's dangerous and reckless, he's out of control. Winning the ball is not relevant, it's still dangerous."

On the Otamendi contact, Custis said: "I think he's been clever because he's turned his back, and stuck his arm out. He knows the ball is coming that way."

Oliver Holt - journalist on the Sunday Supplement


The Mail on Sunday's Oliver Holt believes times have changed regarding refereeing decisions, saying: "In an old-fashioned way you say he's won the ball but students of refereeing now would say he's out of control. He takes Rooney after he takes the ball. Twenty years ago it was a good foul. Now, it's a penalty."

On the second incident, Hold said: "It didn't occur to me that it was a penalty. I don't think his arm was in an unnatural position."

Martin Hardy - journalist on the Sunday Supplement


The Sunday Times journalist Martin Hardy, who thinks Clattenburg's decision in the first appeal could have gone either way, said: "It was a lunge, so technically that can be deemed dangerous play and a red card. At the last second he changes the angle of his foot and plays it with the inside of his foot. Maybe that's what Mark Clattenburg has seen, that he's been less dangerous. Maybe Clattenburg has given him a tiny bit of leeway."

Hardy, who was undecided on whether Otamendi meant to handle the ball, said: "Is this arm in an unnatural position? I'm not 100 per cent sure.

Mark Schwarzer - Former Premier League goalkeeper on Goals on Sunday

Former Premier League and Australia goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer changed his opinion on the first penalty shout, saying: "It is a big touch and on the day I thought it was a penalty and a red card, but seeing it in hindsight and on TV, he has actually made a really good challenge."

Credit: Skysports.com