Manchester United coach Ola Gunnar Solskjaer has said the Premier League could start to resemble rugby rather than football in terms of offenses if the referees continue to be light-hearted after his side finished 1-1 against Southampton yesterday (Sunday) in the second round of the Premier League.
Solskjaer claimed that Bruno Fernandez was fouled by Jack Stephens during a move that led to the locals' advantage goal before Mason Greenwood equalized after the break in favor of the Red Devils.
"It's an offense, he [Stephens] went straight through Bruno, with his hand and thigh above him. We can't move from one extreme approach to volleyball or basketball last season to rugby now," he said at a news conference.
"I like aggression sometimes. It's more men's football, but still, it's an offense."
United players thank the crowd at the end, yesterday, Reuters
On the game itself, the Norwegian said: "It's a game they could win and so could we. We could and should have scored a few goals. When they scored we lost a bit of the head. After the half we were good again until we won, then in the last 15-20 we lost momentum and lost the way." .
Solskjaer's remarks come a day after Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp criticized the refereeing in the home win over Burnley, comparing Sean Ditche's physical game to wrestling.
Hazenhotel, last night in St. Petersburg.
Marie, Reuters
Southampton manager Ralph Hazenhotel has said he welcomes the new Premier League approach that allows the game to run. "I've always been a big fan of letting the game run a little more. That's why I loved English football to be honest. That's why English football is different from other leagues because of this situation," he said.
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