What Martial told Bednarek after ‘shambles’ call in Man Utd rout

Will Ford

Jan Bednarek claims Anthony Martial agreed that he shouldn’t have been awarded a penalty in the 9-0 thrashing at Old Trafford.

Southampton were already down to ten men and were losing 6-0 when Martial took a tumble in the box in close proximity to Bednarek.

Referee Mike Dean pointed to the spot as it looked as though the Saints centre-back had tripped the forward, but on closer inspection it became clear that the Frenchman had dived to win the penalty.


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Having consulted the pitchside monitor, Dean added to Bednarek’s misery by brandishing his second red card of the evening.

The 24-year-old had no option but to trudge down the tunnel but was overheard complaining as he did so.

“Martial said it’s not a foul,” he protested.

Michael Owen agreed and took to Twitter to label the decision a “shambles”.

“That absolutely sums things up,” Owen wrote on Twitter.

“The best thing is it hardly matters. But if that’s a pen then the game has officially gone. Biggest example of a dive I’ve seen in ages. Shambles.”

Later on, he took to Twitter again, posting: “I admire Mike Dean. He’s always been a referee who has shown real courage under pressure.

“But tonight’s decision was the perfect opportunity to stand out from the crowd.

“We really need someone who understands the game to make these big calls. That was an absolute joke tonight.”