‘STONEWALL’
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is concerned referees will shy away from giving Cristiano Ronaldo penalties following Manchester United’s win over West Ham.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner was twice denied a spot-kick by referee Martin Atkinson in the Red Devils’ last-gasp victory at the London Stadium last Sunday.
Norwegian Solskjaer is hoping that won’t be a reoccurring theme this season, declaring: “We had two stonewall penalties. Clear as day.
“I’m just hoping it’s not one of them where Cristiano Ronaldo never wins a penalty.”
United ran out 2-1 winners thanks to a stoppage-time penalty save from David de Gea, who had failed to save the previous 21 spot-kicks he’d faced.
Solskjaer was full of praise for the Spaniard, telling MUTV: “You know he’s a top keeper, everyone loves having him behind them.
“He’s come back focused, really determined, with a desire to show who he is. It’s his 11th season and we’ve never stopped believing in him, and it’s important that he also knows that.
“He came in pre-season and said: ‘I know I’m supposed to be rested but I want to come back early’ and that just shows his determination.”
