“These two are serial offenders for me. These go over when you sneeze on them”
Richard Keys has accused Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial of “going down when you sneeze on them” when looking at the number of penalties won by Manchester United over the last year and a half.
United moved level on points with league leaders Liverpool on New Years Day after a 2-1 win over Aston Villa, their winning goal coming courtesy of a Bruno Fernandes penalty after Paul Pogba was fouled inside the Villa box.
Speaking on his beIN Sports show, the former Sky Sports host suggested it was “impossible” for one club to have been awarded as many penalties as United had – 33 – in the last year and a half.
Pointing to Martial and Rashford’s names on a large screens showing the number of penalties United have received, Keys said: “These two are serial offenders for me. These go over when you sneeze on them.” Pointing to Fernandes’ name, he added:
“I’m a little surprised Fernandes has only won two. I thought that he would be more successful than that.”
“It’s an extraordinary number of penalties,” added Keys’ co-host Andy Gray. “I’m guessing the likes of which we’ve never seen before.”
While adding that some of the penalties given to United were justifiable, Keys insisted 20 of the 33 were debatable.
“It is something for me to be looked at and referees need to be more aware of,” he continued.
Man United won a controversial penalty last night against Aston Villa. Keys and Gray break down the stats, 33 penalties since the start of last season!#beINPL
More – https://t.co/1eGBJOyvQ5 pic.twitter.com/32cBLc5trX
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) January 2, 2021
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side contain, in players like Martial, Rashford, Mason Greenwood and Daniel James, attackers that take on defenders in the box and many of their penalties have come when oppositions players err with rash tackles.
United will now turn their attention to their Carabao Cup semi-final with Manchester City in midweek, then a third round FA Cup tie with Watford. They return to league action away to Burnley on Tuesday, January 12.
