Add as preferred source on Google
Gary Lineker told Alan Shearer how he was baffled by the VAR and penalty drama during Manchester United’s 2-2 draw against Bournemouth last Friday afternoon.
Bournemouth hosted Manchester United at the Vitality Stadium and the Red Devils walked away with a Premier League point ahead of the March international break.
However, the Premier League encounter was not without its controversy, with United fans left furious with the poor refereeing decisions made in the match.
United’s penalty appeal against Bournemouth was waved away after Amad Diallo was brought down and the Cherries capitalised on the immediate counterattack.
Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images Are you fed up with referees and VAR – What is the solution to poor officiating?
David May did not hold back his his view…
Getty Images Gary Lineker thinks Man Utd were hit with a ‘double whammy’ against Bournemouth in their Premier League clash
Ryan Christie pulled Bournemouth level in the second half and cancelled out Bruno Fernandes’ opener after Manchester United were denied a clear-cut penalty.
However, the Red Devils would suffer a further setback in the 78th minute after Harry Maguire was sent off in another controversial decision in the 2-2 draw.
Harry Maguire’s dismissal also resulted in a Bournemouth penalty, with Eli Junior Kroupi successfully converting past Senne Lammens last Friday afternoon.
Speaking on his podcast with Alan Shearer, Gary Lineker admitted that the Red Devils experienced a “double whammy” during their visit to the Vitality Stadium.
“Let’s turn our attention probably to the Champions League places,” he said on The Rest Is Football.
“It had looked a little bit bleak for [Aston] Villa, but they managed to win today, the game against West Ham, obviously. Manchester United got a point.
“I think, well, let’s discuss [what] came first. They got a point. They look in good shape, really, in third.
“I mean, that twist of, you know, they go one up and then there’s another penalty shout, which did really look like a penalty. And then for the team to go to the other end of the pitch and score, it’s like a double whammy against them.
“And then Maguire gets sent off for something that was quite similar to the one earlier on.”
Are you confident Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven can handle Leeds with Harry Maguire suspended?
What did you think of Maguire’s sending off vs Bournemouth?
Getty Images Alan Shearer feels that Man Utd suffered at the hands of poor officiating in the Bournemouth match
United are still third in the Premier League table, but the Red Devils’ lead over fourth-place Aston Villa has been reduced to a one-point margin now.
Aston Villa defeated West Ham 2-0 on Sunday and strengthened their bid to secure a top-four finish and Champions League football for the 2026-27 campaign.
Reacting to co-host Lineker, Shearer admitted that controversial decisions made by the referee came at the expense of United dropping points against Bournemouth.
“I think the referee messed up in that,” he said.
“I mean, if you’re going to give one of those, then you have to give the others as well for me. I think he messed up.”
United will not return to Premier League action until 13th April and the Red Devils will host rivals Leeds United for their next encounter at Old Trafford.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox