Manchester United captain Harry Maguire has insisted that Jordan Pickford’s late challenge on him in Saturday’s 3 – 1 victory over Everton was not a penalty.
Pickford raised a boot into the midriff of Maguire during the second half in an attempt to win to a loose ball following a set piece.
However, the goalkeeper went unpunished when the VAR check by referee Michael Oliver signaled no foul had been committed; a call the United’s captain felt was right.
Maguire, who also received his own share of luck when he slid into a tackle on Lucas Digne in the box said, “I just explained this in there, I personally don’t think it was [a penalty],” he told the club’s website “I think maybe I fouled Jordan first. I did put a hand into his chest when he went to catch the ball and I did feel contact on my knee.
“I felt like I probably pushed Jordan before and I know everyone’s probably trying to jump on him dropping the ball but I did feel like I pushed him. I’d say [a penalty] would have been a little bit soft.”
Pickford has now got away with another reckless challenge in recent weeks; following a collision with Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk, who is ruled out for the rest of the season because of a serious knee injury.
