David Moyes has lashed out following a third successive defeat by claiming his Manchester United side are playing against the match officials as well as the opposition now that he is manager.
The Scot resorted to the classic deflection technique of under-fire managers after a shock defeat by attacking the match officials.
Moyes admitted United fans had “probably never seen it as bad” as this, but he also played the hard done by card after referee Andre Marriner awarded Sunderland a controversial penalty.
United had equalised at the start of the second half thanks to Nemanja Vidic’s header, which cancelled out Ryan Giggs’ own goal, but they crashed to yet another defeat when Tom Cleverley turned his back on Adam Johnson inside the area and was judged to have brought the winger down.
“I feel we are having to play the opposition and the officials,” said Moyes, after Fabio Borini had converted the spot kick “They gave a free-kick on the first goal that I couldn’t believe.
“Maybe I have got to understand that’s what happens at Manchester United – they are certainly not giving us much at this moment in time.
“For the penalty, the linesman gives it, but he can’t see through Patrice Evra. The referee is looking right at it and is in a very good position – not too close, not too far away, but he turns around. The linesman gives it.
“I just think it is incredible when you think we didn’t get one the other week for the [Hugo Lloris] challenge against Tottenham. It’s hard to take, it really is.”
Despite another largely disappointing performance against a Sunderland side who once again saved their best for the cup, Moyes was given loud backing from the away fans and he admitted their support is helping him through the toughest period of his managerial career.
“We had a brilliant support, our support was fantastic, the way they supported me and the club tonight was nothing short of exceptional,” gushed Moyes. “They know we are going through a difficult time and they have probably never seen it as bad as this for a long time. I’m determined to put it right and I sense it in the dressing room now too.”
Poyet denied Sunderland had been fortunate to get the penalty and insisted the fact they had already beaten Manchester City, Chelsea, Everton and Newcastle this season showed this win was no fluke.
“With the penalty, some days you don’t get it, but to be honest it was clumsy and in the middle of the pitch it would have been a foul.,” he said.
“I have to find the reason why we play so well in the cup and against the top teams, but not against the rest in the league.
“That is my job. We have given ourselves a good chance. They are still favourites, but we will go there looking to win the game.”
The key numbers
“Maybe I have got to understand that’s what happens at Manchester United – they are certainly not giving us much at this moment in time.
“For the penalty, the linesman gives it, but he can’t see through Patrice Evra. The referee is looking right at it and is in a very good position – not too close, not too far away, but he turns around. The linesman gives it.
“I just think it is incredible when you think we didn’t get one the other week for the [Hugo Lloris] challenge against Tottenham. It’s hard to take, it really is.”
Despite another largely disappointing performance against a Sunderland side who once again saved their best for the cup, Moyes was given loud backing from the away fans and he admitted their support is helping him through the toughest period of his managerial career.
“We had a brilliant support, our support was fantastic, the way they supported me and the club tonight was nothing short of exceptional,” gushed Moyes. “They know we are going through a difficult time and they have probably never seen it as bad as this for a long time. I’m determined to put it right and I sense it in the dressing room now too.”
Poyet denied Sunderland had been fortunate to get the penalty and insisted the fact they had already beaten Manchester City, Chelsea, Everton and Newcastle this season showed this win was no fluke.
“With the penalty, some days you don’t get it, but to be honest it was clumsy and in the middle of the pitch it would have been a foul.,” he said.
“I have to find the reason why we play so well in the cup and against the top teams, but not against the rest in the league.
“That is my job. We have given ourselves a good chance. They are still favourites, but we will go there looking to win the game.”
The key numbers
- 82 years since United lost the first three games in January
- 13 years since United lost three consecutive matches
- 3 times in a row United have lost 2-1 – they have also been beaten by Swansea and Tottenham
– Telegraph
