Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick has urged officials
to get the big decisions right in important matches.
As the Red Devils now prepare for Sunday's visit to bitter
rivals Liverpool, a fresh examination of their Premier League
credentials is emerging.
And with Arsenal breathing down their necks, Sir Alex Ferguson's
team can ill afford any more slip-ups.
Sir Alex Ferguson criticised referee Martin Atkinson after the
final whistle at Chelsea and Carrick agrees that the key decisions
went against United.
The 29-year-old was also frustrated by the way his side lost
their way somewhat in the second half after taking the lead through
Wayne Rooney's fine strike in the opening period.
David Luiz equalised for the Blues in the 54th minute before
Frank Lampard blasted home a late penalty to seal United's
demise.
"It is disappointing, especially after the first half and the
way we played," Carrick reflected on the result.
"We were in control. Second half we weren't as quick and
decisive in our passing as we were in the first half, but we still
felt quite comfortable and I still thought we might score
again.
"Some decisions didn't go our way and we're on the end of a
defeat, which is very hard to take.
"That type of decision plays a huge part in the game. Big
decisions you've got to get right, especially in a game of this
importance, so we're disappointed.
"You have to get big decisions right in games of that
importance."
The criticism of Atkinson over his failure to send David Luiz
off for tripping Wayne Rooney immediately before awarding Chelsea
their match-winning penalty for a debatable Chris Smalling foul on
Yuri Zhirkov drew a stinging rebuke from Ferguson.
Although the United boss might have kept his counsel and
reflected on the changing fortunes of a game that should have left
him playing with just 10 men at Wigan three days earlier, Ferguson
opted to let fly with both barrels.
"You want a fair referee, or a strong referee anyway - and we
didn't get that," he said.
"I must say, when I saw who the referee was I feared it. I
feared the worst."
Given the United boss already has the remaining two matches of a
four-game touchline ban hanging over him following scathing
comments about Alan Wiley's fitness last season, a further spell in
the stands appears inevitable if misconduct is proved.
The FA have until 6pm tomorrow to charge Ferguson, although that
may just fuel a sense of injustice at Old Trafford ahead of what is
now a vital trip to Liverpool on Sunday when far more than local
pride will be at stake.
Carrick is confident Manchester United will bounce back from the
disappointment of losing to Chelsea when they travel to
Anfield.
"At the moment we feel pretty down, but we can move on quickly.
We have to," the midfielder told MUTV.
"We're used to doing that and we're normally good at that, so
hopefully we can bounce back again.
"We have to get rid of this game, forget about it and move on.
It's obviously a huge game on Sunday and we'll be ready for that.
We have to be.
"That's the nature of the beast. We move on and we take a lot of
positives from tonight and look to put things right that didn't go
well. We'll be ready."
Meanwhile, United defender John O'Shea has claimed Ryan Giggs
could still be playing at 40.
Giggs has now completed 20 years as a first-team player and even
though many of Giggs' team-mates have been around Old Trafford for
some considerable time themselves, they are lost in admiration for
the 37-year-old.
And, having signed a one-year contract extension earlier this
year, O'Shea feels Giggs could carry on for at least another three
years.
"Without a doubt," said the Republic of Ireland star.
"His physical shape hasn't changed since I've known him and he
looks after himself so well.
"Depending on injuries he could easily carry on, although I am
sure he just wants to take it one season at a time.
"He is just enjoying it so much at the minute so I can't see why
he can't but I'll let him decide on that."
If nothing else, last night's game allowed Giggs to equal Sir
Bobby Charlton's record of 606 league appearances, another record
in addition to the scores the Welshman already has.
Indeed, in the modern era, the only player O'Shea can think of
that is remotely comparable is recently-retired Italian legend
Paolo Maldini.
"You see how the manager has built squads and Giggsy has been a
vital part of every single one of them," he said.
"It's just incredible. Maldini springs to mind with AC Milan but
I think Giggsy has even gone past him.
"The speed and the balance he still shows to go past whether it
be an old, experienced defender or a new, up-and-coming young
strong defender is incredible.
"Every cliche in the book has been used about the man already
and I am sure they will be said many times again.
"He is an absolute legend."