Souness lays into Maguire for post-match interview after Man Utd drop points
Graeme Souness has hit out at Harry Maguire for “diving” to try and win Manchester United a late penalty in their 1-1 draw away at West Brom.
United dropped two points on a frustrating afternoon at The Hawthorns, which got off to the worst start possible when Mbaye Diagne headed Sam Allardyce’s men in front after just two minutes.
Bruno Fernandes’ superb volley brought the visitors level just on the stroke of half-time, but they were unable to go on and secure the victory in a second half which saw both sides come close to doing so.
United thought they had a penalty when Maguire fell to ground under a challenge from Semi Ajayi and Craig Pawson pointed to the spot with 25 minutes remaining.
However, after consultation with the pitchside VAR monitor Pawson came to the conclusion there was not enough contact from Ajayi to award the spot-kick and his decision was overturned.
Maguire was left seething in his post-match interview with Sky Sports, saying: “I was so certain it was a penalty. I don't understand why he's been sent to check it.
“I’m goal-side of the defender, I feel a touch on my shoulder, he's pulling me back, and then I feel a clip on my heels as well. It was minimal, but it's a penalty, especially after the referee points to the spot you think there's no chance it's getting overturned.
“I was so confident it was going to be given, but it seems like the decisions at the moment are going against us.”
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But Souness was not buying Maguire’s complaints about the penalty and instead blasted the United captain for going down too easily, while also insisting he was in an offside position anyway.
When analysing the penalty appeal, the straight-talking pundit said: “Clearly offside and he goes to ground as if he’s been hit with a baseball bat, diving.
“He said that he thinks it’s a penalty. He’s got his hand on him, but that’s not enough to bring him down the way he goes down.
“That’s throwing himself to the ground and they all appeal, even [Marcus] Rashford on the far side’s got his arms up putting the referee under pressure.”
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