Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took subtle shots at former Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez as he launched a feisty response to Chelsea rival Frank Lampard’s claim that Manchester United get favourable VAR decisions.
United have won 13 penalties this season, a joint-Premier League record for a single season, and have benefitted from questionable decisions in recent weeks.
They were fortunate to be awarded a penalty on Bruno Fernandes against Aston Villa, with it appearing the Portuguese playmaker was actually the one guilty of a foul.
And question marks were raised over the decision not to award Crystal Palace a penalty against United on Thursday night.
Speaking ahead of Sunday’s FA Cup showdown, Chelsea boss Lampard said: “The confusing thing about some of the recent ones, and the one on Thursday night, is that it’s a very, very clear and obvious decision that was wrong and didn’t get reviewed and changed.
“A few of those have happened and that is strange. I would like to think that with VAR you have to be level headed.
“Some might go against you or not, but we seem to be in a period where, in terms of Manchester United, they’ve got a few in their favour. It would be nice if VAR worked in our favour in this one.”
But Solskjaer was frustrated at the suggestion United only get decisions going their way, with United angered that Southampton’s Oriel Romeu was not sent off in their recent Old Trafford draw.
And the Norwegian coach harked back to Benitez’s infamous ‘facts’ press conference from 2009, when the Spaniard – engaged in a war of words with Sir Alex Ferguson – unfolded a piece of paper and hit back at several complaints the Scot had.
“How long have we got? I can sit here for hours now and try to talk about this,” Solskjaer said when asked about Lampard’s comments ahead of United’s semi-final clash with the Blues (Sunday 6pm kick-off).
“It looks like there’s a narrative, it looks like people want to influence whoever is making the decisions.
“I hear people talking about luck, that we’ve been lucky more than unlucky.
man utd chelsea
“If you look at the factual decisions – I don’t want to sound like a certain manager talking about facts – but if you’re offside you’re offside, that’s clear.
“Talking about lucky; the penalty we got against Tottenham in the last minute that was taken away from us; that might be two points for us.
“Talking about the red card [Oriol] Romeu should have had against us when he almost got Mason Greenwood crippled, that should’ve been a red card, maybe that would’ve helped us.
“Talking about Mark Noble when he should have been sent off against us when we lost at West Ham. Talking about the actual decision that is made that is against Man United but is overturned and corrected.
“So it’s actually me that should be complaining that we get decisions against us on the pitch by the on-pitch referee.
“There’s a narrative there but we have to focus on our games, we let other people talk about that. I don’t wanna go too much into it because I might be in trouble! I hope I’m not now!
“I’m pretty relaxed on these and refs are gonna be making objective decisions and are not gonna be influenced by any emotion in any way, so I don’t think they’ll read [what Lampard said].”
Lampard has warned his Chelsea players to be wary of giving United the chance to go down inside the box.
“They have to be careful because when players of such high level, quality and speed of the Manchester United forwards travel quickly, you have to move your feet and not dive in on them,” he said.
“That’s an important part of defending at any point in time, but [especially] when you understand the qualities of the opposition, with players like that.
“The players don’t have to give that. As a player, we can talk about VAR decisions and whether they’re right or wrong but if a player is going to dangle a leg and not move their feet, then you obviously do leave yourself open to penalties, VAR or no VAR.”