Man Utd receive more support over Amad penalty fury as referee urged to explain himself

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Former Premier League official Dermot Gallagher has admitted Manchester United ought to have been given a penalty moments before Bournemouth's opening goal in Friday evening's 2-2 draw. Amad was dragged to the turf in the box by Adrien Truffert with United ahead 1-0 following Bruno Fernandes ' spot-kick opener.

Referee Stuart Attwell dismissed appeals before Ryan Christie equalised. An own goal from James Hill put United back in front before the Cherries were then given a penalty after Evanilson was fouled by Harry Maguire , resulting in the defender receiving his marching orders.

The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) determined that "the contact was not sufficient for a foul", something that Michael Carrick disputed. It's understood that United officials were "furious" at the decision and are set to lodge a formal complaint to PGMOL.

Now, in Sky Sports ' latest Ref Watch programme, Gallagher offered his verdict on the incident and maintained that United should have been awarded a second penalty. "I think they are both penalties, if you look at them, they are so similar, so on balance, give both," he said.

"It is just an unfortunate consequence - the referee [Stuart Attwell] has got the most perfect position, he is looking straight at it and in fairness he waved it away straight away, the ball goes up the other end and the VAR is still looking at it when the ball goes in the net.

"Stuart has obviously fed back to them that it is not enough of a shrug and is not a clear and obvious error, there is not enough in it and they have backed the referee."

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When referring to Maguire's red card, Gallagher added: "This one is slightly different. When you see them together, you say either both are penalties or only one of them is a penalty.

"Whichever way the referee jumps, you expect him to jump the same way twice. He may well think he made a mistake with the first one, and look and think this one is a penalty."

Former Premier League striker Jay Bothroyd, who joins Gallagher on the show, agreed with the ex-referee's view on the penalty claim.

He said: "The referee is in a great position to see it, the defender is in the wrong position, he has shoved him and he has not exaggerated it, he is just off balance and I can't understand why the referee has not seen that.

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"I think if the Maguire one had happened first, the second one is given, but it has happened the other way round, but it is definitely a penalty." He added: "I would like to hear the referee come out and say something about that.

"No one likes to see mistakes but it will be a little bit better if the referee comes out and speaks. There's less contact with the Amad one but Evanilson's first touch made him get in that position. Both are penalties."