Solskjaer Replies To Klopp's Quip On The Number Of Penalties For Manchester United

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Jurgen Klopp (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Manchester United coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes that the opposing coach who talks about the penalty his team gets can be a way to influence the referee's decision.

Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp said he was confused about his team not getting a penalty after Tuesday's 1-0 defeat to Southampton in the Premier League.

Klopp added in a post-match interview that United received more penalties in two years than Liverpool during his 5.5 tenure at Liverpool.

"I don't count how many penalties they have, so if they want to spend time worrying about us being fouled in the box, I don't waste time on that," said Solskjaer ahead of Thursday's League Cup semi-final against Manchester City.

Solskjaer claimed that his team did not get a penalty in losing to Chelsea in last season's FA Cup semi-final after coach Frank Lampard said the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) favored United that season.

"I cannot speak on behalf of other coaches, why do they say things like this," added Solskjaer as quoted by Antara, Wednesday.

"Obviously I felt it worked last year in the FA Cup semifinals because Frank talked about it and we should have gotten a penalty in that game."

"So maybe it's a way of influencing the referee. I don't know, but I'm not worried about that. When they violate our players it's a penalty. It only happens when it's in the box."

After taking on City, the Red Devils will meet Watford in the third round of the FA Cup on Sunday. They return to action in the English Premier League against Liverpool on 17 January.