During Manchester United’s clash against Newcastle United, Lisandro Martinez was at the heart of a Magpies’ penalty appeal at Old Trafford
Gary Neville believes Lisandro Martinez was lucky not to concede a penalty during Manchester United’s victory over Newcastle United.
Patrick Dorgu’s first ever goal for the Reds was enough to secure a valuable three points over Eddie Howe’s side. However, the visitors could have ran out rampant winners at Old Trafford, after wasting many huge opportunities to score.
Newcastle also thought they were going to be awarded a penalty when Fabian Schar’s effort struck Martinez’s arm. Despite VAR having a look at the incident, referee Anthony Taylor was not instructed to have a look at the pitch-side monitor.
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It’s understood the decision was not given because Martinez was tussling with Magpies defender Malick Thiaw at a corner kick, as Schar’s effort struck his arm.
After seeing the ball hit Martinez’s arm, Neville said: “There is a massive shout. Schar hits it, his arm is up above his head and it’s stretched.
“Is it because he’s pushing Thiaw? That might just save him. He’s actually wrestling with the other Newcastle centre-back, his arms are already there.
“If Thiaw anywhere near him that’s definitely a penalty. I think the fact he has just had a wrestle with the other centre-back might just save him.
“He (the VAR) is saying the context is because there’s another situation whereby he is fighting with another player and his arms are already up there and he’s just not got back down.”
Last season, United were convincingly beaten 2-0 by the Geordies. This time, they were able to grab the first goal with Dorgu’s fine volley going through the left-hand of Aaron Ramsdale.
It was a result which lifted United up to 5th position, level on 29 points with fourth placed Chelsea, albeit the Blues and nearby rivals Liverpool, Sunderland and Crystal Palace are still yet to play this week. While it may be temporary, it’s a vital three points for Amorim.
He came into the contest missing skipper and talisman Bruno Fernandes, as well as Bryan Mbuemo, Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui, who are representing Cameroon, Ivory Coast and Morocco respectively. It’s a result which moves United into the Champions League places, providing the English sides in Europe perform well enough to give the Premier League a fifth place in the continent’s most glamorous competition.
In September, it was clamed by talkSPORT that Amorim was told by the United hierarchy they must qualify for European football if he is to keep his job. There is a long way to go for the Reds, but Amorim would be pleased with their resilience against Newcastle.
Up next is a home clash against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Tuesday December 30 before they begin 2026 with an away trip to fierce rivals Leeds United.