In a post shared by transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano on his official X handle, Michael Carrick expressed strong frustration following Manchester United’s dramatic 2–2 draw with AFC Bournemouth on March 20, 2026, criticizing a controversial refereeing decision that denied his side a late penalty.
The incident involved a clear two-handed shirt pull on Amad Diallo inside the box, which went unpunished despite a similar foul earlier in the match resulting in a penalty for United. Softfootball understands that referee Stuart Attwell waved play on, with VAR also opting not to intervene, sparking outrage from players and coaching staff.
Romano reported:
Michael Carrick: “We should have had another penalty. I can’t quite get my head around it… it’s crazy”. “I can’t understand it. Mental”.
Michael Carrick: “The ref has given one penalty for us for a two-armed grab… and the second one for Amad he doesn’t. It’s almost identical. “For me, it’s two penalties and it’s a huge moment. Baffling”.
The draw has drawn mixed reactions from fans, with some criticizing United’s overall performance while others focused on the officiating controversy. Rival supporters, however, have mocked the complaints, fueling ongoing debates around VAR reliability.
Carrick’s reaction reflects growing concerns over officiating consistency in the Premier League, with past reviews highlighting a notable margin of incorrect VAR decisions. Midfielder Bruno Fernandes also voiced his displeasure, adding to the club’s frustration over what many believe were dropped points.
Bruno Fernandes: “I know it’s difficult for the referee to give two penalties to the same team… …but I don’t understand why VAR doesn’t do anything”.
Despite the setback, United recently secured a 3–1 victory over Aston Villa, with Casemiro among the scorers, showing their ability to bounce back amid a tightly contested season.
