'It's obviously a penalty!' - Man Utd were lucky to avoid late defeat against Bournemouth as Andoni Iraola hits out at refereeing decision

United were lucky to escape with a draw against Bournemouth on Saturday evening, as Bruno Fernandes levelled the scoreline on two occasions for the Red Devils. The Cherries thought they had been given a golden opportunity to win the game in the 94th minute - with the scoreline at 2-2 - after referee Tony Harrington awarded them a penalty. After VAR checked the decision, it was deemed that the challenge from Willy Kambwala on Ryan Christie was outside the area and a free-kick was given instead.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, the Bournemouth boss said: "I believe completely it was a penalty [for Christie]. Against Newcastle the penalty against us, the contact started outside the box.

"But [today] the first frame was put so the first contact was on the edge of the box, but the contact continues one, two metres inside and is stopping the player. It is not just one moment and Christie is down. The defender goes with Christie one, two metres inside the box. For me it is obvious.

"In the first half Kobbie Mainoo dives and it is not a yellow card, second half Ryan Christie, there is contact and he falls down, but yellow card for diving. What is the difference?"

United have now slipped to seventh in the Premier League, as they approach the end of a disappointing 2023-24 campaign. Meanwhile, Bournemouth have impressed in recent weeks after recording just one loss across their last seven fixtures.

The Cherries will now travel to the West Midlands in their next fixture, as they face off against Champions League chasers Aston Villa on April 21. The first meeting between the two sides finished 2-2 back in December, thanks to goals from Dominic Solanke and Antoine Semenyo.