Oliver Glasner suggests ‘Old Trafford bonus’ could have helped Manchester United in penalty decision

Oliver Glasner believes that Manchester United may have been given “a bit of the Old Trafford bonus,” after being awarded a contentious penalty in their 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace.

The Palace manager was unhappy with the decision made by referee Chris Kavanagh to award United the penalty in the 54th minute with his team leading 1-0.

Maxence Lacroix was adjudged to have fouled Matheus Cunha, with the defender placing his hand on Cunha’s shoulder and continuing as he moved towards the Palace area before falling after entering. Lacroix was shown a red card for denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity.

“The red card changed the game completely,” Glasner said in his post-match press conference. “It’s a very hard decision (to award) a penalty and red card because the foul started outside the box and usually the foul has to be given where it starts.

“Matheus Cunha was very smart to wait until he was inside the box and falling then.

“I spoke to the fourth official. They had to check first is it offside or not, then is it a foul or not, then where does it start and is it a red card or not?

“It’s three or four situations to judge and this takes time but it feels like it was the wrong decision so it doesn’t make it better if it takes (less time). But we have to accept it.

“It’s not a penalty, maybe he could have conceded a red card with the foul outside the box. This is what can be discussed. Maybe it’s a bit of the Old Trafford bonus.”

After being sent to the monitor for review, Kavanagh stayed with his original decision, saying there was a “clear holding offence”.

Glasner said he did not challenge the decision to award the penalty because there was nothing he could do about it.

Bruno Fernandes sent goalkeeper Dean Henderson the wrong way from the penalty spot to equalise before Benjamin Sesko scored the winner eight minutes later.