Premier League legend Michael Owen has criticized Manchester United star Noussair Mazraoui for giving away a penalty against Bournemouth, calling his decision needless and “stupid.”
Manchester United suffered a 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth in their Premier League Matchday 17 meeting at Old Trafford on Sunday, 22nd December. The defeat — Man Utd’s seventh of the season — left the hosts in the 13th place in the Premier League rankings. Bournemouth, meanwhile, climbed up to 5th place.
The visitors opened the scoring through 19-year-old defender Dean Huijsen in the 29th minute, with him applying a free-header from a free-kick. Just past the hour mark, the Cherries doubled their advantage, thanks to a perfectly taken spot kick from Justin Kluivert. Mazraoui gave away the penalty after mistiming his tackle and bringing down Kluivert inside the box.
Right-winger Antoine Semenyo put the game to bed in the 63rd minute, connecting with Dango Ouattara’s inch-perfect cut-back and beating Andre Onana from 10 yards.
Michael Owen Slams Noussair Mazraoui, Says Manchester United Are Not a Good Team
Owen, the last English player to win the Ballon d’Or, was asked to comment on Mazraoui’s costly mistake in the second half. Here is what the former Liverpool and Manchester United striker told the Premier League Productions (via The Daily Mail):
“A little rash? A little stupid more like. What on earth are you doing? Two players are waiting for him, he’s not going to score from there and he dives in.
“Just stay on your feet and usher him away. It’s just a poor, poor decision. The sad thing about Manchester United these days is they go 1-0 down and you never really think they’re going to come back.”
Owen then assessed Manchester United’s performance as a whole, saying they were not a good team and advised coach Ruben Amorim to take note of the underperforming players.
He added:
“They’re not a good team. Ruben Amorim needs to be watching that game and ensure these players that are not performing do not put on the shirt again. He needs to be that brutal and that ruthless.”
Manchester United will be back in Premier League action with a tussle with Wolverhampton Wanderers on Boxing Day, 26th December.
