Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has hit back at Jurgen Klopp and accused his Premier League rivals of trying to influence referees by moaning about the number of penalties awarded to Manchester United.
Liverpool boss Klopp claimed that United have had more spot-kicks in two years under Solskjaer than he has in five-and-a-half years at Anfield.
The figure is actually 46-42 in Liverpool's favour - and 30-27 in the Premier League - but Klopp is the latest Premier League boss to voice concern over United's penalty count.
Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho has also had a dig at his old club, and Frank Lampard brought it up before Chelsea faced United in last season's FA Cup semi-final.
Asked about Klopp's comments, Solskjaer appeared to reference the infamous 'fact' rant by Rafael Benitez when United and Liverpool were fighting for the title in 2009.
'That's a fact, probably,' smiled Solskjaer. 'That is probably going to be my answer. That's a fact that we have got more than him.
'I don't know how many penalties they've had. I don't count how many penalties they have, so if they want to spend time on worrying about when we get fouled in the box, I don't spend time on that.'
United were given a total of 22 penalties in all competitions last season, more than any team in Europe's top five leagues in the previous five years.
It included four in two games against Chelsea, and Lampard raised the issue before his team beat United 3-1 at Wembley in July.
Solskjaer blames that for referee Mike Dean's refusal to award a penalty for Kurt Zouma's challenge on Anthony Martial before half-time - even though Bruno Fernandes later scored United's consolation from the spot - and is wary of officials being swayed by his rivals.
'I can't talk on behalf of other managers, why they say things like this,' said the United boss.
'Obviously I felt it worked last year in the FA Cup semi because Frank spoke about it. We had a nailed-on penalty that we should have had and didn't get, so maybe it's a way of influencing referees.
'I don't know but I don't worry about that. When they foul our players it's a penalty. It's just when it's inside the box.'
halacr7madrid
771
when United was struggling everyone was making fun of them now they are top of table everyone seems to have problem with them I hope United win every game with penalty to make haters cry just like laliga some crying babies are here also hala ggmu
Ciaabilptu
700
I don't mind what people re saying regarding to Manchester united recent form, our attacking system is what bring the plenty penalties at our disposal, don't mind klopp and the rest football is matter of win and loss we lost and we win what else? if we lost we never lay our complaints to referee we take it as lost and we Will take necessary action to see we win the next one,what u people will say about 6 1 lost to Tottenham was it not as a result of red card if it was not for red card we would not have lost the match and the fault was belong to lamella and martial but the referee and VAR took a wrongful decision against united no one said a bitter word to against the ref and var decisions u people have to be realistic have to be truthful in making judgment
Kuwaekmnru
573
I'm a Liverpool fan but I hate the way klopp is talking about Manchester United I also understand that United are a quiet team they don't talk about any other team in England but everybody talk about them as if they are the only club in England. But come to think of it when united lost against Crystal Palace did anybody says anything. When they lost against Arsenal did anybody talk anything. When they lost 1-6 against Tottenham. Did klopp complain about them. Now they are progressing you people are jealous. Just common to win Southampton you looking for penalty can't even scored one goal are there talking about united. Let them be please. Can't even imagine klopp of all people saying this. What rubbish. All the teams in England are jealous of them that's their progressing let's just jealous of them for once.
Dabwitso_
544
United did have more penalties than any other club last season, but because klopp was flying higher than a space shuttle he didn't mind.... welcome back to earth Mr Perfection [Crylaugh]... come see how the struggle is real
mzeereal
512
Klopp always find excuses. That is why mourinho always make fun of him
bamblosz
276
Klopp is scared because He is playing against United soon so He wants to play mind games to corrupt the reffs and FA just like he did in saying Chelsea are favourites but I only hope Martin Oliver can officiate that Anfield game..... Common neighbours, the Trophy needs to come back to Manchester guys.
PerfectYC
160
Love ole for this reason, he knows how to handle press conferences😎😎 and attack coaches without making it too obvious [Crylaugh]
excuser
11
when United was struggling everyone was making fun of them now they are top of table everyone seems to have problem with them I hope United win every game with penalty to make haters cry just like laliga some crying babies are here also hala ggmu
i wish Madrid to win champions league and laliga Santander bro.🤲🤲🤲🤲
PrinceAbobyBlinkz
11
when United was struggling everyone was making fun of them now they are top of table everyone seems to have problem with them I hope United win every game with penalty to make haters cry just like laliga some crying babies are here also hala ggmu
how I wish I could like your comment 100 times I would have done it ASAP
AbdulAzeezBashir
10
when United was struggling everyone was making fun of them now they are top of table everyone seems to have problem with them I hope United win every game with penalty to make haters cry just like laliga some crying babies are here also hala ggmu
@halacr7madrid, your comment is the best I've ever seen! you really do knw your football. dunno why they are all complaining, it happened with Liverpool and Manchester City why is Manchester United any different