Manchester United caretaker manager Darren Fletcher furiously confronted referee Simon Hooper following the Red Devils’ FA Cup defeat against Brighton
Manchester United caretaker manager Darren Fletcher furiously confronted referee Simon Hooper following the disastrous 2-1 FA Cup defeat against Brighton.
The Red Devils’ season was left in ruins when Danny Welbeck’s winner saw the Seagulls win 2-1 at Old Trafford to progress to the fourth round of the FA Cup. Benjamin Sesko’s 85th minute goal proved to be nothing more than a consolation after Brajan Gruda opened the scoring in the first-half.
United now have nothing left to play for this season, bar their Premier League standing, after they were embarrassingly knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Grimsby Town and their awful league position and Europa League final disaster last season meant there has been no European football this campaign.
In his second, and what looks to be his final game in interim charge, Fletcher was left angry with the officiating after United youngster Shea Lacey was sent off in the final minutes.
Lacey was brought on as a second-half substitute following his impressive cameo against Burnley in midweek and was one of United’s brightest sparks on the right-wing.
But the 18-year-old was shown two yellow cards late on, with the first for a late tackle and the second for dissent after he threw the ball into the ground after giving away a foul at the halfway line just three minutes later.
Lacey was visibly gutted after his dismissal and United were unable to create one final clear-cut opportunity to save the game.
Upon the final whistle, Old Trafford vented their frustration at the home players as booed rang around the stadium. But the fans weren’t the only ones left fuming as Fletcher was seen confronting Hooper after the game.
The Scot was filmed walking up to Hooper and shaking the official’s hand before he started talking to the referee. Fletcher appeared to be told to go away by Hooper and a linesman but continued to attempt to argue with them.
Fletcher explained what he told the referee at full-time in his post-match press conference, he is quoted as saying: “Injury time. There should have been more time [added on]. And the first Shea Lacey foul, it was not a yellow. It’s ridiculous. Poor refereeing.”
United host Manchester City next on Saturday before travelling to Arsenal the following Sunday in a daunting run. However, it remains to be seen whether it will be Fletcher at the helm for the derby.
Responding to questions about his position, Fletcher said: “This is what I’ve been asked to do. I’ve not had any discussions beyond that. I did the job this week and concentrated on the games. All the discussions with that will unfold in the next couple of days.”