Ole Gunnar Solskjær has claimed that the Premier League’s milder refereeing strategy risks transforming English football from volleyball or basketball to rugby.
The Manchester United coach spoke after his team’s draw 1-1 against Southampton on Sunday. The Saints took the lead in the first half when Che Adam’s effort deflected past David de Gea with Mason Greenwood leveling things after the break.
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Solskjaer, however, insisted that Bruno Fernandes be persecuted in the construction of the hosts’ goal. He also claimed that the failure to punish Jack Stephens for his challenge was proof of the shortcomings of the league’s more forgiving attitude towards referees.
“We can not go from an extreme, from volleyball or basketball last year, to rugby,” he said.
“I like the easier way – it’s more men’s football but it’s a foul. It’s a clear foul – he goes straight through Bruno. We got some tackles, and that was part of their early thoughts it seemed. ”
Despite insisting that it was a foul, Solskjær acknowledged that his side should have defended better after their protests were waved off.
“We should do better. If you do not get a foul, we should make a block, put a body on the line and make sure there is no shot on goal, he says.
Solskjær’s criticism of the Premier League’s desire to market more free-flowing games was not shared by Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl.
“I was always a big fan of letting things run – this is the Premier League,” he said, according to the Telegraph.
“At this moment, we have been the team that got the advantage of an aggressive attack. I’m glad not every touch is wrong. This is what the Premier League was known for. It’s more robust – it’s a good thing for me. ”
United will bounce back from a draw with Southampton when they travel to Wolves next Sunday.
