Jose Mourinho had every right to criticise Mark Clattenburg after the official failed to give Manchester United a penalty for a dangerous challenge, according to former Premier League referee Graham Poll.
United fell 2-1 at home to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City on Saturday but were a tad unfortunate to not get the chance to level the contest, when debutant goalkeeper Claudio Bravo lost control of the ball.
The Chilean proceeded to go into a challenge with Wayne Rooney with studs showing and while the shot-stopper may have made contact with the ball it was a potentially dangerous tackle.
United manager Mourinho was frustrated to not be awarded a spot-kick, which could have led to the match being tied at 2-2 and Poll believes the Portuguese coach has the right to be critical of Clattenburg’s decision to not give his side the decision.
However, the former Premier League referee, who also officiated at the 2006 World Cup, says that Nicolas Otamendi’s apparent handball in the game was not a penalty kick either.
“Jose Mourinho was absolutely right to be critical of referee Mark Clattenburg’s failure to award Manchester United a penalty after Claudio Bravo flew studs-first into Wayne Rooney,” Poll told the Daily Mail.
“Clattenburg felt the City keeper had played the ball but he knows that whenever a player dives into a challenge with both feet off the ground, out of control, a foul must be given.
“If the ball is played cleanly then a yellow card is issued but if the opponent is caught, solely or as well as the ball, a red card should be shown.
“I don’t agree with Mourinho regarding the other penalty appeal when Antonio Valencia’s cross hit Nicolas Otamendi’s arm.
“It has been pleasing to see referees this season use more judgement on handball incidents rather than award a penalty every time the ball hits an arm.”
The defeat ends Mourinho’s unbeaten winning start as manager at Old Trafford, while City are the only side left in the division with a 100% record.
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