Manchester United legend blasts ref for awarding late Newcastle penalty

MANCHESTER UNITED legend Paddy Crerand has slammed Mike Dean for giving Newcastle a penalty after the tangle between Chris Smalling and Aleksandar Mitrovic in last night's 3-3 draw.

 

Mike Dean booked Smalling after his tangle with Mitrovic in the 3-3 draw between Man U and Newcastle

 

With the score at 2-1, Dean pointed to the spot when Smalling and Mitrovic were wrestling and grappling in the penalty box.

Mitrovic picked himself up to level the scores at 2-2, meaning United had thrown away a two goal lead.

Wayne Rooney's stunning effort put the Red Devils ahead again but Paul Dummett's late deflected strike saw the Toon Army earn a credible draw at St James' Park.

 

United's first goal did come from the spot, when Dean adjudged Chancel Mbemba to have handled Marouane Fellaini's header in the area.

Question marks were raised as to whether the Newcastle defender deliberately handled the Belgian's header.

But Crerand had stern words for the referee after the contentious award of Newcastle's penalty.

 

Let's see if the same referee does give a penalty in another game for a similar incident? Anyway only ourselves to blame

— Paddy Crerand (@PatCrerand) January 13, 2016

"We see things like that happen every week," he told MUTV. "I'm going to watch for Mike Dean and see that action happen again and see if he gives a penalty.

"I bet you he doesn't.

"I don't think that was a penalty but United threw it away. They've got the game won and missed a couple of great chances."

Crerand was highly critical of United's failure to kill Newcastle off in the second half - with Fellaini and Jesse Lingard spurning golden chances to put them 4-2 ahead - but the Scot, who made more than 300 appearances for United, did praise Louis van Gaal's side for their positive attacking intent.

 

Anthony Martial was playing up front with Rooney in the second half and the England captain was back to his best last night.

He added: "Fellaini should have scored, Lingard should have scored. They were chances that weren't very difficult. They didn't put them in the back of the net and you always pay for it in the end.

"It was terrific the way United played with four-four-two and were getting goals. It was great game for both sides but we'll be more disappointed than Newcastle."