Man Utd: Harry Maguire praised by pundit in Chelsea win
Manchester United captain Harry Maguire has issued an apology to Michy Batshuayi after admitting that he “caught him” due to a “natural reaction” as he was falling to the ground. Chelsea felt aggrieved that Maguire’s action was worthy of a red card, although VAR adjudged he did nothing wrong.
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“I apologised to him and it was nice that the referee saw sense."
The incident occurred during the first-half with the game goalless, however, just before the break Anthony Martial game United the lead.
The Frenchman got on the end of a pinpoint cross from Aaron Wan-Bissaka and headed the ball into the bottom corner past Chelsea keeper Willy Caballero.
Maguire added United’s second just past the hour mark when he scored off a corner.
The 26-year-old got to the ball first after he cut across Antonio Rudiger and directed his powerful header past a helpless Caballero.
Man Utd news: Harry Maguire said it was a natural reaction and that he had no intent to hurt him (Image: GETTY)
Chelsea had chances in the game and managed to put the ball into the back of the net on two occasions only for VAR to rule both out.
Kurt Zouma thought he had levelled the score at 1-1 but his goal was ruled out when VAR ruled that Cesar Azpilicueta had pushed Brandon Williams, although replays also showed that United midfielder Fred had also made contact with the Chelsea captain before the incident.
Chelsea thought they had got back into the game when substitute Olivier Giroud scored from a diving header in the 76th minute.
However, VAR ruled out the goal for offside when footage showed that the Frenchman’s foot was in front of the United defender.
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The win for United lifts them to seventh in the Premier League and they are now only three points off fourth-placed Chelsea.
The defeat on Monday night means the Blues are now nine points off third-placed Leicester City and now have five teams who are within six points of them.