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Lalit Modi, the IPL commissioner, has said he is “sure” Pakistan players will return in future editions of the league

Cricinfo staff26-Jan-2010Lalit Modi, the IPL commissioner, has said he is “sure” Pakistan players will return in future editions of the league – possibly even for the next tournament if other players are injured or unavailable – despite none of them attracting any bids from the franchises during the auction on January 19. Angered by the manner in which the 11 Pakistan players were ignored, Pakistan sports minister Aijaz Hussain Jahkrani and PCB chairman Ijaz Butt had said that their players would stay away from the Champions League Twenty20 this year and the 2011 season of the IPL.”We will discuss this with the Pakistan board officials when we meet them and I am sure the Pakistani players will return,” Modi told Indian television channel CNN-IBN. “Some teams have still not finished their quota of players and some players can still drop out. In that case, franchises can choose Pakistani players as replacements.”Modi also reacted to the Indian home minister P Chidambaram’s comments that the non-selection of Pakistan players in the IPL was a “disservice to cricket” by saying it was purely the decision of the franchises.”I don’t think that there’s any mishandling, the franchisees decide on their own,” he said. “We never said in the first place that the government in any which way nudged up in that direction so it was a decision that was taken by the franchisees and let’s leave it at that. There was no pre-decision…They were all worried about the availability and that’s why the Australians weren’t picked up along with many other players and all that we keep hearing now is one story – about not bidding for Pakistani cricketers.”Both the Indian government and the BCCI were quick to distance themselves from the results of the auction after Pakistan players reacted with anger. The Pakistan sports minister had also complained to his Indian counterpart and the PCB raised the issue with the ICC. There have also been calls for the Pakistan hockey team to pull out of next month’s World Cup in India, and a parliamentary committee canceled a trip to India in protest.

A solid Zimbabwean batting effort, led by a watchful Vusi Sibanda and an innovative Tatenda Taibu, was backed up by their slow-bowling armada

The Bulletin by Siddarth Ravindran04-Mar-2010
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out
Man of the Match Vusi Sibanda is bowled for 95 and has his bat smashed in the process•The NationIt’s not often that a bowler with an economy rate of 12 is a team’s hero. Shingirai Masakadza was, though, and that too on his debut, when he secured Zimbabwe their first ODI win in the Caribbean by conceding only one run in the final three deliveries of a game that the visitors somehow contrived to convert into a close one after being in control for large parts.For much of the home side’s batting, it was death by spin again, just as in their defeat in Sunday’s Twenty20. A solid Zimbabwe batting effort, led by a watchful Vusi Sibanda and an innovative Tatenda Taibu, was backed up by their slow-bowling armada on a sluggish track in Providence to extend West Indies’ winless streak.Zimbabwe seemed to have the match in hand when their four frontline spinners bowled out by the 46th over, leaving West Indies needing 45 off the final four, with five wickets down and the Powerplay used up. Five tight deliveries from Elton Chigumbura made it an even tougher 41 off 19, before a big no-ball was slammed for a straight six by Shivanrine Chanderpaul and two more taken off the free-hit.Three overs to go, two of which Zimbabwe’s debutant bowler had to send down. This, after Masakadza’s first over in ODIs had been lashed for 14 runs. After Chanderpaul hopped across the stumps and got down on one knee to paddle an outside off ball over short fine leg for four, on his way to ten runs off the first four balls, the target became a gettable 22 off 14. Masakadza eased the Zimbabwe nerves by getting Chanderpaul to hole out to long-off next ball, and finished off the over with a dot ball.Again, the match looked to be a lock for Zimbabwe when Chigumbura send down five deliveries for three runs and removed Denesh Ramdin in the penultimate over, but Dwayne Smith slugged a four off the last ball to make it 15 off the final over, to be bowled by Masakadza.There were still twists to come. First, Nikita Miller whittled down the target to five off four with a swipe over midwicket for six followed by a streaky four to third man. Masakadza couldn’t have asked for a tougher initiation to top-flight cricket. A single brought Smith on strike, before Masakadza bowled him and then had Sulieman Benn dismissed by an under-pressure, low catch from Greame Cremer running in from deep midwicket. Four required off the final ball; Masakadza coolly served up perhaps the best ball of his spell, a yorker that could only be dug out to mid-on to spark off massive Zimbabwean celebrations.It was his brother, Hamilton, who kicked off an impressive day for Zimbabwe with a brisk 41 in a slow-and-steady opening stand of 67 with Sibanda. Despite his hitting, the run-rate was dawdling at about three an over because of a struggling Sibanda, who consumed 162 deliveries for his 95, the longest sub-100 innings since Aamer Sohail’s 167-ball 87 in 1993.It hardly looked like Sibanda would survive so long during his uncertain start to the innings, fresh from a golden duck on Sunday. He had a fortunate edge over slips for four early on, and the umpire didn’t spot him glove a delivery to the keeper in the 17th over from Kieron Pollard. Between the chances, he barely managed to get the ball away, scoring mainly in singles.It was the arrival of Taibu that energised the Zimbabwe batting, with his assortment of sweeps and reverse-sweeps taking him to a quick half-century, and putting on a century stand with the resolute Sibanda. That took the visitors to an imposing 167 for 1 in 37 overs, and despite the exit of Taibu, Sibanda and the big-hitting Chigumbura launched an assault that yielded 80 off the final ten overs to push Zimbabwe past 250.The West Indies chase got off to a promising start: the returning captain, Chris Gayle, and Adrian Barath following the template set by the Zimbabwean openers – Gayle played the Hamilton Masakadza role, scoring the bulk of the runs, and Barath laid down anchor like Sibanda – to progress to 96 for 0 after 22 against some accurate Zimbabwe spin.With Gayle confidently playing the reverse-sweep, a shot he rarely uses, to bring up his half-century, West Indies were well placed, but offspinner Greg Lamb, the best of the Zimbabwe bowlers, trapped him lbw soon after, when he played down the wrong line. Barath also fell not long after reaching his half-century, and a couple of run-outs placed the responsibility on Chanderpaul and Pollard.With Chanderpaul unable to find the boundaries early on – he took 48 balls before hitting his first – and Pollard hardly at ease, the asking-rate spiralled above eight by the 41st over. Pollard holed out to mid-on in the 43rd, the first of the Powerplay overs, and though Chanderpaul battled hard, he couldn’t pull it off and neither could the West Indies lower-order.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Newcastle United journalist Liam Kennedy has made a transfer claim involving PIF and Barcelona forward Ousmane Dembele.

The Lowdown: Newcastle make approach…

The Magpies and PIF have been linked with a move for the Barcelona forward over these last few weeks as his contract at the Camp Nou continues to wind down.

As things stand, Dembele could leave the Catalan club as a free agent in 2022 and is free to negotiate pre-contract January moves with a view to signing in the summer.

Fabrizio Romano has even backed Newcastle’s interest, saying that an approach has been made, with Kennedy now sharing what he knows in an interview with GIVEMESPORT.

The Latest: Kennedy makes Dembele claim…

Sharing what he’s hard from the Saudi side, the journalist believes that a move could well happen and it’s the type of ‘marquee’ transfer that Newcastle would indeed go for.

However, with the arrival of Xavi, Kennedy admitted that the Spaniard’s presence at Camp Nou could now throw a spanner in the works, as he explained:

“Dembele is a name that has been mentioned to me. It was mentioned to me probably around a week after the takeover was done.

“I think Dembele is coming, from the noises I’m getting, from the Saudi side. I think that may be the marquee type thing that they might go for.

“I think there were a lot of talks before Xavi came in at Barcelona. I think he seems to, from his noises, rate the player more than the previous manager so I’m not sure how alive that one is.”

The Verdict: Right move?

The 24-year-old is still young and has a degree of sell-on value, while he certainly has quality despite his lack of consistent runs in recent seasons, largely due to recurring injury issues.

Former Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre even compared him to Cristiano Ronaldo at one stage, with his ex-Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman more recently calling Dembele a ‘fantastic player’.

However, while Newcastle could snap him up on a free next summer, the Frenchman’s history of hamstring problems could also ring alarm bells for manager Eddie Howe as he seeks to strengthen his squad.

In other news, find out which ‘world-class’ ace NUFC are now ‘most likely’ to sign here!

Antonio Conte wants to spend big this January and he could find his perfect wing-back at Tottenham Hotspur in Tariq Lamptey…

What’s the word?

According to the Express, the north London outfit are ready to battle their arch-rivals to the signature of the Brighton and Hove Albion star this month.

After picking up a long-term injury, the 21-year-old dynamo has quickly re-established his place in Graham Potter’s side and is now attracting interest from both Spurs and Arsenal.

Conte is expected to offload Matt Doherty before the transfer deadline and is now looking at Lamptey as a potential replacement, though the summer window seems more plausible as Albion want around £50m to let him go.

Perfect fit

Given the Italian’s system at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Lamptey would surely be an absolute dream for Conte, especially if Doherty does move on this window.

And with Emerson Royal’s form being a little inconsistent, the England U21 international should not find it hard to break into the starting XI upon arrival.

Since his breakthrough in 2019, the £16.2m-rated dynamo has averaged 3.3 dribbles, 2.5 tackles, 1.8 interceptions and 1.1 key passes per 90 minutes in the Premier League, per WhoScored, who also state his strengths as being his short passing and dribbling – two key components for a wing-back.

“Terrific prospect” and “phenomenal young talent” is how the Daily Mirror’s chief football writer John Cross once described the marauding Seagulls defender, whilst his teammate Pascal Groß dubbed him a “special boy” and “top class” to talkSPORT.

At just 5 foot 4, he is a lightning-quick pocket rocket who has the ability to cause havoc in the top-flight, something that his manager has mentioned before.  “He is so fast. He has got the character, the attitude and the attributes that can affect games in the Premier League,” he said (via The Athletic).

Conte’s system thrives when a wing-back can do the business at either end of the pitch and it seems as if Lamptey fits the bill greatly, so sporting director Fabio Paratici must look to beat the Gunners to his signature.

£50m may be a hefty investment to make but on the above evidence, there won’t be many better homegrown talents out there for that price.

AND in other news, Fabrizio Romano reveals Spurs “priority” in January…

Phil Parkinson is not concerned about Wrexham's away form and says his side couldn't have done much more on their recent travels.

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Wrexham struggling to pick up winsParkinson not worried by away resultsFace Accrington Stanley at home nextGetty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?

Paul Mullin's stoppage-time penalty rescued theWelsh side a 1-1 draw against relegation-threatened Forest Green Roverson Tuesday night, meaning they have won just two of their last eight League Two matches. And despite having the 10th-best away form in the division, manager Parkinson says the overall points total is more important than home and away results.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesWHAT PHIL PARKINSON SAID

He said, via Welsh publication The Leader: "What will determine the top-three finish hopefully will be the points total whether they are home or away. We drew at Forest Green, lost at Gillingham, were outstanding when we drew at MK Dons and we beat Sutton so we have lost one out of the last four If you look at the last four away games, we can't do much more. We have freshened the team up, we have had a plan B from the bench if we needed it. We are trying everything but for the dominance we have had, and you go back to six weeks ago when we didn't get any control in the away games, these last four away games have been different. We have controlled the games a lot better and the moments will come if we keep playing in that manner."

Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Wrexham had the chance to go back into the automatic promotion spots in midweek but Crewe Alexandra currently occupy third spot. The Red Dragons are just three points behind league leaders Mansfield Town and they have the best home form in the division. But if they want to finish in the top three, they cannot afford to drop so many points in the remainder of the season.

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WHAT NEXT?

Next up for fourth-placed Wrexham is a home clash against 15th-positioned Accrington Stanley on Saturday at the Racecourse. The 'Owd Reds won the reverse fixture 2-0 back in November so the Welsh outfit will want to exact revenge this time out.

A round-up of the fourth day’s action of fourth round Group B matches in the Ranji Trophy

ESPNcricinfo staff27-Nov-2012
Scorecard
In perhaps the most thrilling day of the season, Baroda’s last pair put on 25 runs to consign Haryana to their third defeat in three matches. It was a day which began with seemingly little chance of a result as Haryana were still two down and looking to set a target. That quickly changed as Haryana’s famously fragile batting buckled once again, to slide from 127 for 2 to 160 all out. Overnight batsman Abhimanyu Khod was run-out on the second over of the day, after which the wickets tumbled rapidly.If Baroda thought they had a straightforward chase ahead, given the target of 132, they were in for a surprise as Haryana were in no mood to give up. Kedhar Devdhar, who is yet to make a half-century this season, fell on the first ball of the innings, and only one of top six reached double-digits as quick bowler Mohit Sharma ran through the top order. They still had their regular opener,Saurabh Wakaskar, and Gagandeep Singh, who has proved useful with the bat this season. The pair added 37 – the biggest stand of the innings – for the seventh wicket, but both were dismissed in the space of six runs, leaving Baroda at 91 for 8, still 41 away. When legspinner Amit Mishra had Murtuja Vahora bowled the score became 108 for 9, leaving Haryana sensing victory.The last-wicket pair of Bhargav Bhatt and Utkarsh Patel, neither of whom have much batting credentials, then dashed Haryana’s hopes. With the match on the line, No. 11 Bhatt even hit a six and Baroda soon completed only the 14th one-wicket victory in Ranji history.
Scorecard
After waiting four years to get their first Ranji win since 2008, Odisha needed only a week to get their second. They upset Karnataka by 65 runs at the Chinnaswamy Stadium and jumped to the top of the table in a tightly contested group. Karnataka began the day on 43/1 needing 202 more. They lost Ganesh Satish early on, and were further set back by the dismissal of their two most well-known batsmen, Robin Uthappa and Manish Pandey, in the space of an over. Stuart Binny resisted with a 42, but Odisha’s Biplab Samantaray, whose 86 in the second innings proved pivotal, removed both Binny and Karnataka captain Vinay Kumar off successive deliveries. There was little assistance for CM Gautam from the lower order, and he was bowled by Alok Sahoo to confirm the defeat. Odisha now have 13 points, while Karnataka have only five from four matches.
Scorecard
The highlight of a dull final day in Nagpur was Virag Awate, the 31-year-old opener from Maharashtra, becoming only the second player to score twin hundreds on debut in the Ranji Trophy. Awate was the mainstay of the innings for a second time in the match, guiding Maharashtra to 261 for 7, setting Vidarbha an unlikely target of 278 in less than half a day. Awate was helped by Rohit Motwani’s half-century but no other batsmen reached 20. Vidarbha reached 103 for 1 in 29 overs, thanks to Urvesh Patel’s unbeaten half-century after which the match was called off. Maharashtra get three points for the first-innings lead while Vidarbha had to be satisfied with one point.

Everton will travel to Selhurst Park today to face league position rivals, Crystal Palace, with both teams desperate to take three points from the game.

If Everton can seal the deal with a second consecutive win over Patrick Vieira’s side today, they have the chance of climbing back into the top half of the table, however, if they lose the game, Crystal Palace can leapfrog Everton and gain a spot in the top half, so it should be an interesting game for both sets of fans on Sunday afternoon.

One player who will more than likely make a return to the side for his eighth appearance for the Toffees this season is Mason Holgate.

The 25-year-old should start in the side today after Yerry Mina sustained yet another injury in Everton’s victory over Arsenal. That saw the defender subbed off in the 33rd minute with Rafa Benitez confirming that Mina will not be available for Everton’s Premier League fixture away from home this weekend.

Holgate has never been able to take himself to the next level but the defender was highly thought of by Carlo Ancelotti, who once said:

“He has the quality to be at the top as a defender. He is fast, strong physically and good with his head.

“He is really competitive. He is a fighter. But to be a fighter, you have to use this quality in the right way.”

There is currently a real window of opportunity for Holgate to establish himself in the defensive line by putting in important performances in the coming games ahead, with Mina injured and Lucas Digne reportedly entrapped in a feud with the manager, there has never been a better opportunity for the defender to prove he deserves to be in the starting eleven more consistently.

With 3.8 aerial duels won per game this term – more than any other Everton defender – he’s certainly got what it takes to bully Crystal Palace this afternoon.

Thus, £18m-rated gem could have a real impact on an important win that is needed for the Toffees today.

It could also be a career-defining moment for him as to whether Benitez believes he has what it takes to become a long term solution for an injury-plagued Mina, or whether he must go into the upcoming transfer window to find a defender who can improve upon the current situation for Everton.

In other news: Rafa Benitez must unleash Andre Gomes against Crystal Palace

Jan Oblak has explained the challenges of facing the famous 'MSN' trio of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar when they played for Barcelona.

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Dubbed MSN's football "beautiful"Admitted that Barcelona have "changed a lot" without Leo MessiPreviewed Atletico Madrid's fixture with BarcaWHAT HAPPENED?

Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar starred for the Blaugrana from 2014-2015, winning the treble in the 2014-15 season and establishing themselves as one of the best attacking trios in Europe. And Oblak conceded that Barca side was the most difficult to play against.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesWHAT JAN OBLAK SAID

In a press conference before Atleti's La Liga clash with Barca this Sunday, Oblak spoke candidly about his toughest Catalunyan opponents: "But I think the Barca that played the most beautiful football was the Barca from 2015 or 2016. Well it doesn’t mean they weren’t performing very well in other seasons of course, but the strongest Barca since I arrived here in La Liga was in the first three years or so when I started to play at Atletico Madrid."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Oblak has been the first choice keeper for Atleti since 2014, winning the La Liga goalkeeper of the year three times, and winning the league in 2020-21 season.

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(C)Getty imagesWHAT NEXT FOR ATLETICO MADRID?

Atleti face a crucial fixture against Barca on Sunday. The Rojiblancos are currently four points behind leaders Girona, but have a game in hand. A win would keep them in the title race, and also damage the Blaugrana's hopes of defending their La Liga crown.

How to watch Forest against Wolves in the Premier League in the US, as well as kick-off time and team news.

It's a key fixture in Nottingham Forest and Wolves' battle to ward off Premier League relegation as the two teams are set to lock horns at the City Ground on Saturday.

Forest suffered their first home league defeat in 10 games when they lost 2-1 to Newcastle ahead of the international break, while the visitors will also be looking to avoid a third straight defeat after going down 4-2 against fellow strugglers Leeds United.

GOAL brings you details on how to watch the game on TV in the U.S. as well as how to stream live online.

(C)Getty ImagesKick-off timeGame:Nottingham Forest vs Wolverhampton WanderersDate:April 1, 2023Kick-off:10am EDTVenue:The City Ground, West Bridgford

The game is scheduled for April 1, 2023, at The City Ground with a picturesque setting on the banks of River Trent.

It will kick off at 10am EDT in the US.

Advertisement(C)Getty ImagesHow to watch Nottingham Forest vs Wolves online – TV channels & live streamsTV channels & streaming options

Country TV channel Live stream

U.S.N/APeacock Premium

In the United States (US), the game can be watched live on Peacock Premium.

GettyTeam news & squadsNottingham Forest team news

The Tricky Trees are hit with fresh injuries to Chris Wood, Serge Aurier, Andre Ayew and Gustavo Scarpa during the international break, with Wood ruled out for the rest of the season with a thigh problem.

Furthermore, Brennan Johnson and Wayne Hennessey are doubtful after picking up knocks on Wales duty, and Ryan Yates injured his shoulder against Newcastle.

Taiwo Awoniyi and Cheikhou Kouyate have returned to full training, with Scott McKenna also close to returning to the pitch, but Dean Henderson, Giulian Biancone, Omar Richards and Willy Boly are still sidelined.

As such, the likes of Neco Williams, Remo Freuler, Jesse Lingard and Sam Surridge will expect to be in the XI against Wolves.

Nottingham Forest possible XI: Navas; Williams, Felipe, Niakhate, Lodi; Danilo, Shelvey, Freuler; Lingard, Gibbs-White; Surridge

Position Players

GoalkeepersNavas, HennesseyDefendersNiakhate, McKenna, Worrall, Cook, Felipe, Lodi, Toffolo, WilliamsMidfieldersDanilo, Kouyate, Colback, Freuler, Mangala, O'Brien, Yates, Shelvey, Arter, Cafu, Gibbs-White, LingardForwardsJohnson, Awoniyi, Dennis, Surridge, Taylor, MightenWolves team news

Sasa Kalajdzic, Chiquinho and Hwang Hee-chan are sidelined with injuries, while Hugo Bueno is doubtful due to a hamstring problem.

Jonny has been slapped with a three-game ban after his red card against Leeds, while a similar punishment has been lifted from Matheus Nunes by the FA – meaning the midfielder is available for selection on Saturday.

Expect Rayan Ait-Nouri to slot in for Jonny at left-back.

Boubacar Traore has recovered from a muscle injury and made a couple of substitute appearances for Mali, while Matheus Cunha will be pushing for a start after scoring off the bench last time out.

Wolves possible XI: Sa; Semedo, Dawson, Kilman, Ait-Nouri; Lemina, Neves, Moutinho; Cunha, Jimenez, Podence

Position Players

GoalkeepersSa, Bentley, MouldenDefendersCollins, Kilman, Dawson, Toti, Ait-Nouri, Bueno, SemedoMidfieldersRuben Neves, Lemina, B. Traore, Hodge, Nunes, Gomes, Moutinho, Podence, SarabiaForwardsNeto, Cunha, Jimenez, Costa, A. TraoreHead-to-head record

Date Result Competition

January 12, 2023Nottingham Forest (P) 1-1 WolvesCarabao CupOctober 15, 2022Wolves 1-0 Nottingham ForestPremier LeagueAugust 25, 2021Nottingham Forest 0-4 WolvesCarabao CupJanuary 20, 2018Wolves 0-2 Nottingham ForestChampionshipSeptember 16, 2017Nottingham Forest 1-2 WolvesChampionshipENJOYED THIS STORY?

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(C)WolvesUseful links

Nottingham Forest team page

Live soccer on TV in the U.S.

Premier League top scorers 2022-23

Fans of rival clubs believe that the Red Devils have benefited from preferential treatment this season, so Goal has reviewed all 19 of their penalties

Not since the days of Sir Alex Ferguson have we heard so much talk about Manchester United getting preferential treatment off referees.

Social media has been running wild with talk of 'VARchester United' and 'Man Utd Penalty Bingo' because of how many spot-kicks Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side have been awarded this season.

However, even Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has voiced his concern over the number of decisions that seem to be going United's way.

But are United really receiving help from the officials?

Below, we review all 19 penalties awarded to the Red Devils this season to see whether there's anything to these conspiracy theories…

Getty1FA Cup: Man Utd 1-3 Chelsea

Callum Hudson-Odoi blatantly tripped Martial as United tried in vain to get themselves back into the semi-final showdown at Wembley.  Fernandes fired home but it was little more than a consolation goal for United as their hopes of FA Cup glory went up in smoke.

Verdict: PENALTY!

AdvertisementGetty2Premier League MD34: Aston Villa 0-3 Man Utd

The most controversial decision of the season? It was certainly a historic one, as United equalled the record for most penalties received in a single Premier League season (13). Jon Moss pointed to the spot after Fernandes had been upended by Ezri Konsa in the area. However, on closer inspection, it emerged that the attacking midfielder had actually initiated the contact. However, VAR inexplicably agreed with Moss, clearing the way for Fernandes to open the scoring. Villa boss Dean Smith called it a "disgraceful" decision and his fury was understandable.

Verdict: NO PENALTY!

Getty Images3Premier League MD33: Man Utd 5-2 Bournemouth

The game at Old Trafford was tied at one goal apiece when Mike Dean pointed to the spot in the 35th minute, after noticing an Adam Smith handball. Rashford took care of the rest as United went on to record an impressive victory.

Verdict: PENALTY!

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Getty4Premier League MD30: Tottenham 1-1 Man Utd

Eric Dier was bamboozled by Paul Pogba's neat footwork and bundled the Frenchman over in the box. Fernandes scored from the spot to salvage a point for United.

Verdict: PENALTY!

N.B. Jon Moss awarded United a penalty in the dying minutes for another perceived foul on Pogba by Dier but the referee was correctly overruled by VAR.