Carrick slams ‘baffling’ penalty calls as United held by Bournemouth

Michael Carrick has slammed inconsistent officiating after Manchester United twice surrendered the lead in a 2-2 draw at Bournemouth on Friday night.

The result keeps United third in the table, but Carrick was left frustrated by a series of contentious penalty decisions and non-decisions, which he believes cost his side all three points at the Vitality Stadium.

United took the lead from the spot through Bruno Fernandes, but were denied a second penalty when Amad Diallo went down under a challenge from Adrien Truffert.

Bournemouth responded instantly, with Truffert setting up Ryan Christie to equalise.

An own goal from James Hill restored United’s advantage, but the game turned again when Harry Maguire was sent off after conceding a penalty for fouling Evanilson, a decision Carrick argued was similar to the earlier incident involving Diallo.

Despite the apparent parallels, VAR did not advise referee Stuart Attwell to review either call.

“To give one and not give the other, I just can’t get my head around; it’s shocking,” Carrick said.

“I can understand the red card, but we should have had another penalty, and the game would have been different.

“I thought that was what VAR was for, to bring consistency. It’s two different decisions, so it’s baffling.”

The draw dents United’s bid to pull clear in third place, but they remain well-positioned for a return to the Champions League.

With a top-five finish likely enough for qualification, United sit seven points ahead of sixth-placed Chelsea.

Carrick’s side now face a three-week break due to the international window and FA Cup quarter-finals.

“We could have had more tonight, but it’s not the end of the world,” he added. “We’ll come back stronger after the break.”