Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer ready to move on from Chelsea penalty controversy

Solskjaer was critical of Attwell’s performance but admits referees have difficult job

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (IKIMAGES/AFP via Getty Images)

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has moved on from the controversy surrounding Manchester United’s goalless draw with Chelsea on Sunday and admitted that referees have a difficult job.

Solskjaer was critical of Stuart Attwell’s performance at Stamford Bridge after the official chose not to award a penalty to United for a potential handball against Callum Hudson-Odoi.

The United manager later claimed that rival clubs had influenced referees like Attwell by drawing attentiont to the number of penalties that his side have won during his time in charge.

Solskjaer also made reference to Luke Shaw's claim that he heard Attwell tell United captain Harry Maguire that there would be "a lot of talk" if he awarded the penalty.

The Football Association reviewed Solskjaer and Shaw's post-match comments on Monday but found no breach of rules which prevent players and managers from alleging bias against match officials.

And the United manager is now ready to move on from the controversial incident.

"That's water under the bridge, you move onto the next one," he said at his pre-match press conference ahead of Wednesday's trip to Crystal Palace.

"It's a high pressure situation and we have to accept a decision was made. All my focus after the game has been on Palace, I've not looked back at all on that."

Attwell was instructed to review his decision on the pitch-side monitor by Chris Kavanagh, the VAR, but stood by his original call.

Several Chelsea players surrounded Attwell while he reviewed the incident on the screen and Solskjaer believes officials should be left to do their job without such pressure.

"I think the referees have a difficult enough job without the extra pressure," he said. "We should just leave them to it and let them make as many good decisions as they can."