The Red Devils defender is not convinced that Alexandre Lacazette's tumble under pressure from Fred should have resulted in a second-half spot kick
Ashley Young believes Manchester United were let down by the match officials and their finishing during a 2-0 defeat at Arsenal.
The Red Devils arrived at Emirates Stadium brimming with confidence on the back of their stunning Champions League win over Paris Saint-Germain.
They also boasted an unbeaten Premier League record under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, but the Norwegian was to suffer his first domestic setback during a forgettable afternoon in north London.
Granit Xhaka surprised David de Gea with an early strike which deceived the United goalkeeper, while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang doubled the Gunners’ advantage from the penalty spot.
Young is not convinced that he should have been given that opportunity, with Alexandre Lacazette taking a rather theatrical tumble after coming into contract with Fred inside the box.
“From where I was I don't think it's a penalty,” the United captain told BBC Sport.
Young added on the Red Devils’ performance as a whole, with Romelu Lukaku missing a number of chances that he would have snapped up on another day: “Disappointing, especially when you create so many chances.
“On another day we take those chances and we could be two or three up at half-time. Against top teams you get punished.”
Defeat against a fellow top-four hopeful has dropped United out of the Champions League places.
They now sit fifth in the Premier League table, two points behind Arsenal and three adrift of Tottenham.
While frustrated to have suffered a setback on the road, Young believes there is plenty of cause of positivity in the Red Devils camp.
A testing start to the season under Jose Mourinho had left them well off the pace and facing up to the threat of a humbling finish well behind the race for a Champions League spot.
To now be very much in the hunt shows have far the club have come in a short space of time, with Young adding: “I know the character and team spirit we have.
“We've turned things around - where we were in October we'd have taken where we are now, but as a club we should be pushing higher up the league.”
United will not be in Premier League action again until March 30, when they play host to Watford, with an FA Cup quarter-final clash with Wolves set to carry them into the international break.
12UnitedGuyReborn
67
Forget the penalty, it may not have been the clearest of reasons, maybe but that didn't mean we shouldn't score, with Lukaku missing an Hat-trick is just funny considering his form of late, inconsistency is my only problem with him, and Fred is not a Brazilian they should really investigate his origin because he doesn't play like one at all but anyways,l the lose was going to cone one day or the next I am just glad it's against a big team but sad it's against the one we contending for top four with
bewcnp
51
without the penalty, manu would still lose 1-0 to arsenal.
SirSlyBabs
48
EPL referees by far are the worse in the top 5 leagues. Moss is too old for such high intensity matches and serious deciders. you need an energetic refs who could run for 100 minutes. Moss was and have been suspect. if they continue like this, they won't be selected for another world cup. just imagine the first goal against Liverpool today.
Dasacdis
32
This was a more clearer penalty than the robbery against PSG in France. Young, please, accept that your team met a better team. It wasn't a penalty but it was a penalty in France?