71 minutes on the clock and it’s still 2-0 to United.
They’re coasting, they have the game under control and Mourinho is just Mourinhoing the ship home for another three points.
Eventually, of course, they leak from a corner and the last 13 minutes are dire enough. If United fans are too used to the team not being bothered to pass to each other at times of crisis, they wouldn’t – or at least they shouldn’t – be so keen on the idea that they’re holding on against one of the worst sides in the league and not doing anything to take initiative back from one of the worst sides in the league when everything had been so easy until then.
Just before Gareth Barry’s scrappy goal offered hope for West Brom, James McClean was bundled over in the penalty area and looked for all the worst like he should’ve been awarded a penalty.
Ashley Young is trying to guide the ball back to David De Gea but he’s got his angles and distances all wrong and his reaction is to barge McClean and make sure the Irishman doesn’t reach possession ahead of the ‘keeper like it looked like he might.
Dejan Lovren or Jurgen Klopp definitely won’t want to see that no penalty was awarded for this after what happened against Everton last week.
From a distance, you can see the positioning and why De Gea struggled to get there on time.
Young calls for De Gea not long after he was moved to right back.
He soon realises that McClean might get there first so he takes action.
With no attempt to play the ball, the United player jumps into McClean’s stride.
He completely blocks his path.
And McClean goes over.
The referee? He says no penalty.
Alan Pardew obviously wasn’t too happy about the decision of the official – or non-decision – and neither were most onlookers who thought it was a certain penalty. Even United fans did.
71' McClean is charging in towards De Gea, so Young shoves out a shoulder to send him to the ground. In truth, he should have conceded …
— Manchester United (@manutd_action) December 17, 2017
Definite pen for push on McClean by Young
— Dave Neale (@baggiedave70) December 17, 2017
Cannot understand how Ashley Young on McClean is not a foul. No attempt to play the ball and endangering an opponent. Compared to the "contact" on Calvert Lewin from Lovren #WBAMUN #LFC
— daire's auld lad (@dj_breathnach) December 17, 2017
The Sky Sports pundit agreed that it should’ve been a penalty after the game with Graeme Souness leading the charge.
‘You do that anywhere else on the pitch, it’s a foul,” he said.
“For me, that’s a penalty.”
It might not have changed too much anyway but it certainly would’ve given United more time to panic like they did in the end and it definitely gave West Brom reason to feel aggrieved having lost by just one.
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