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Gary Neville criticises 'embarrassing' Manchester United penalty confusion

Gary Neville criticises 'embarrassing' Manchester United penalty confusion
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Gary Neville described the apparent confusion over the missed penalty that cost Manchester United three points against Wolves as “embarrassing”.

Paul Pogba saw his second-half spot-kick saved by Rui Patricio after an apparent debate with Marcus Rashford over who should step up to take it.

Former United defender Neville told Sky Sports: “They should decide in the dressing room who is the penalty taker – it’s embarrassing.

<figcaption class='imgFCap'>Confusion followed Manchester United’s missed penalty at Wolves (Nick Potts/PA)</figcaption>

Confusion followed Manchester United’s missed penalty at Wolves (Nick Potts/PA)

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“This is a Manchester United penalty, this is not a tombola, this is not under-fives on the school field.

“Rashford scored last week – take the penalty. But there wasn’t a leader out there. Something wasn’t right.”

United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer dismissed the penalty confusion, insisting both Pogba and Rashford are designated to take spot-kicks for the club.

<figcaption class='imgFCap'>Rashford scored his penalty against Chelsea (Martin Rickett/PA)</figcaption>

Rashford scored his penalty against Chelsea (Martin Rickett/PA)

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Solskjaer said: “The two of them are designated the penalty shooters and it’s up to them there and then who feels ‘this is mine’.

“Sometimes players just feel they are confident enough to score – Paul has scored so many penalties for us and today Rui Patricio made a good save.

“The two of them have been very confident. I like players with confidence and the feeling that ‘I can do this’.”

<figcaption class='imgFCap'>Solskjaer (left) insists he is happy with the players making the decision (Nick Potts/PA)</figcaption>

Solskjaer (left) insists he is happy with the players making the decision (Nick Potts/PA)

Rashford added: “Paul wanted to take it – it’s that simple.

“Everybody can miss a penalty. He’s scored countless penalties for us so it’s normal to miss one.

“I took one last week so for me, it’s no problem for him to take one this week. It’s unfortunate he didn’t score but it’s not on him, it’s as a team and we take it forward to the next game.”

- Press Association

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