Roberto Martinez unhappy with Danny Welbeck

(GETTY IMAGES)

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez has accused Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck of diving and claimed that he should have been sent off at Old Trafford this afternoon.

The initial incident happened in the first couple of minutes during United's 4-0 win, when Welbeck went down under Ali Al Habsi's challenge.

It seemed innocuous at the time, and TV replays showed there had been no contact as Welbeck went to ground.

Javier Hernandez missed the penalty but later in a feisty contest, Welbeck lunged in on Franco di Santo, which Martinez felt warranted a red card.

"For Danny Welbeck's last challenge, his foot was over the ball on Franco," said Martinez.

"It is completely reckless.

"Under the new regulations you cannot do that.

"I am not arguing whether they should be in the game or not. That is for others.

"But with the laws as they are, you cannot tackle people like that.

"The foot is over the ball. It is reckless and dangerous.

"It is a red card, for a Wigan player, Manchester United, everyone."

Despite that, Martinez did not blame referee Michael Oliver for his side's defeat.

But the Latics chief admitted he was irritated at that first spot-kick call, which he felt set the tone for the entire afternoon.

"I was (irritated)," he said.

"You could see it. You know what he is trying to do.

"I have come to United three times before today and for whatever reason we don't seem to be measured in the same manner as the team at home.

"Today the penalty is as bad a decision as you are going to see in the Premier League.

"In many ways, you feel as though you are fighting against a mountain.

"There were tackles flying around that if they had been the other way round there would have been a couple of red cards."