Man Utd 0-3 Bournemouth: Ex-Premier League Referee Dismisses Mbeumo Penalty Shout

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Michael Carrick's job is at risk after the heavy Premier League defeat

The crisis at Manchester United deepened as they were convincingly beaten 3-0 by Bournemouth at Old Trafford on Sunday, with Michael Carrick's job now at risk.

The pressure was on the 45-year-old heading into the clash with the Cherries following the midweek 4-1 defeat to Como in the Champions League, but if he was hoping to get a reaction from his Man United players, it didn't materialise.

The former Middlesbrough boss decided to drop captain Bruno Fernandes from the starting XI following his outburst after the loss in northern Italy, with the Portugal international remaining an unused substitute throughout the 90 minutes against Marco Rose's men.

Unfortunately for Carrick , it wasn't a punishment that worked out as the Red Devils were easily beaten by the south coast outfit, leaving the hosts 16th in the Premier League table after winning just one of their eight league fixtures this term.

United found themselves 2-0 down at half-time after goals from Rayan and Marcus Tavernier for the visitors, but on the hour-mark and with the scoreline still the same, they had a penalty shout when Bryan Mbeumo went down in the penalty area.

The Cameroon international fell to the ground after a tussle with Tyler Adams, with some Red Devils fans arguing that their player had been obstructed by the USA star.

Referee Jarred Gillett didn't award a spot kick and it also wasn't looked at by VAR, who clearly decided there was nothing in it.

Obviously, if United did get a penalty and made it 2-1 with 30 minutes still left to play, it could have changed the game.

GIVEMESPORT spoke exclusively to former Premier League referee Graham Barber for his verdict on whether the officials got the decision right or wrong.

He said: > "I would say people are clutching at straws with this one, to be perfectly honest. It wasn't a particularly controversial match from a refereeing point of view.

> "My only observation fromwatching the match was that Manchester United weren't very good again.

> "But also I think one thing that ought to be made public was I thought Bournemouth were very, very good and they played very, very well. They capitalised on Manchester United's below-par performance.

> For me it was never a penalty at all and I think, to be honest, people are just perhaps clutching at straws on that one to potentially support another poor Manchester United performance.

Man Utd chiefs could make a final decision on the future of Carrick on Monday, as they consider their options and where they could turn next if they do sack the 45-year-old.

Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann both have their admirers on the United board and are frontrunners for the job , according to Sky Sports, while the likes of Antonio Conte and Unai Emery have also been linked with the role.

The Red Devils must decide, if they do decide to part ways with Carrick, whether they want to go with a more experienced manager like Conte, or a younger coach they can build a project with, like Nagelsmann or Howe, who both feature among the bookmakers' favourites to replace Carrick .

What is becoming increasingly likely is that there will be someone different in the dugout for the trip to Stamford Bridge to face Xabi Alonso's Chelsea side at the weekend.

United will sense an opportunity for a positive result after Tottenham Hotspur went there and won 2-0 on Saturday.

It's a worrying time for Man Utd.

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