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Frank Lampard Has Warned His Chelsea Players How Easily Manchester United Win Penalties

Frank Lampard Has Warned His Chelsea Players How Easily Manchester United Win Penalties

United have won two penalties in their previous three games against Chelsea this season.

Daniel Marland

Daniel Marland

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has warned his team about easily Manchester United have won penalties this season.

The two sides go at it in the FA Cup semi-final tomorrow and United will be confident after beating Chelsea three times already this campaign.

Lampard was quick to point out that he's told his players of the dangers United offer in the penalty box, having won a record 13 penalties in the league this season.

"It would be nice if VAR worked in our favour in this one," the former England international said with a wry smile per Daily Mail.

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"The confusing thing about some of the recent ones - and the one on Thursday (when Palace were denied a penalty) - is that it's a very, very clear and obvious decision that was wrong and didn't get reviewed and changed.

"A few of those have happened and that is strange. You have to be level-headed. Some might go against you or not. But we seem to be in a period where, in terms of Manchester United, they've got a few in their favour."

He then added: "That's an important part of defending. They have to be careful because when players of such high quality and speed as the United forwards travel quickly you have to move your feet and not dive in.

"You understand the qualities of the opposition with players like that, and [Bruno] Fernandes because he's very clever in his movement. We saw that at Aston Villa to make something feel like a penalty where maybe it even isn't.

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"We can talk about VAR decisions and whether they're right or wrong but if a player is going to dangle a leg and not move their feet then you obviously do leave yourself open to penalties, VAR or no VAR."

United have already won two penalties against Chelsea this season, in their 4-0 win on the opening day of the season and during a 2-1 win in the Carabao Cup in October.

VAR also went against The Blues at Stamford Bridge in February, when two goals were ruled out in a 2-0 defeat.

United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer responded to Lampard's claims in his pre-match presser and argued United have had decisions go against them too.

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"It looks like people want to influence whoever is making the decisions," he stated per Sky Sports.

"I hear people talking about luck, that we've been lucky more than unlucky.

"If you look at the factual decisions - and I don't want to sound like a certain manager talking about facts - but if you're offside, you're offside - that is clear.

"Talking about luck... the penalty that we got against Tottenham in the last minute that was taken away from us, the might have been two points for us.

"Talking about the red card that [Oriol] Romeu should have had against us when he got Mason Greenwood almost crippled, that should have been a red card. Maybe that would have helped us.

"Talking about Mark Noble when he should have been sent off against us when we lost to West Ham.

"Talking about the actual decision that is made, that is against Manchester United but is overturned and corrected. So it is actually me that should be complaining that we get decisions against us on the pitch by the onfield referee.

"There is a narrative there but we just have to focus on our games and let other people talk."

Who do you think win tomorrow's semi-final, Manchester United or Chelsea?

Let us know in the comments.

Featured Image Credit: PA Images & Chelsea/YouTube

Topics: Frank Lampard, Football News, Chelsea, Football, Manchester United, Premier League, FA Cup, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, VAR