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Anthony Martial Slammed By Many For 'Shocking' And 'Shameless' Dive Against Manchester City

Anthony Martial Slammed By Many For 'Shocking' And 'Shameless' Dive Against Manchester City

Should he have been booked for simulation?

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare

Manchester United forward Anthony Martial was accused of diving during last night's Carabao Cup semi-final against Manchester City, with many fans furious over his 'shameless' simulation in the penalty area.

The Frenchman had a relatively quiet night in the clash at Old Trafford and struggled in large parts to break down the solid defensive partnership of John Stones and Ruben Dias.

In fact, Martial and his teammates never really got going as Pep Guardiola's side went on to secure a pass to the final thanks to goals from in-form Stones and Fernandinho.

Image: PA
Image: PA

United once again missed out in cup competition and fans were far from impressed, especially with Martial's controversial antics in the opposition penalty box.

At 1-0 down against Pep Guardiola's men, Martial tried to get his side back in the game with a mazy run into the area and, despite getting past Fernandinho, he over-run the ball and flung himself to the ground to try and win a spot-kick.

A furious Ruben Dias expressed his displeasure at Martial's dive and appeared to try and get the referee's attention moments later.

But Martin Atkinson decided against giving the forward a yellow card; a decision that was slammed on social media.



To his credit, a gracious Ole Gunnar Solskjaer praised the opposition at full-time, labelling City 'probably the best team in England' ahead of title rivals Liverpool.

"Manchester City can score many great goals. You can accept that." Solskjaer told Sky Sports.

"When you concede two simple set-plays, it's very disappointing. Just not good enough in those moments.

"We didn't create enough big chances. They didn't either. We didn't have the extra finesse we've had in the games lately. We weren't good enough today."

Solskjaer continued, saying: "We played against a very good Manchester City team. They played well. When they play well you have to play very well to beat them. We were just lacking that little bit.

"We're getting closer. This is a much better version of United than a year ago in those semis.

"It's not psychological [losing four semis]. Sometimes you meet good teams in the semis and we just didn't have enough. We met, at the moment, probably the best team in England and we didn't have enough today.

'We want to go to a final and that would give us an extra boost. Then you got to dust this off and then we got FA Cup and big league games. Then suddenly Europa League is here again."

Featured Image Credit: Sky Sports/Carabao Cup

Topics: Manchester City, Football News, Carabao Cup, Anthony Martial, Football, Manchester United