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The Lucky One

Manchester United have benefited from SIX offside goals in the under two months, so why is Jose Mourinho still whining?

We take a look at all of the Old Trafford outfit's controversial strikes, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic's Liverpool leveller

MANCHESTER UNITED boss Jose Mourinho took another swipe at referees everywhere, claiming his side are hard done by when it comes to penalties.

Following the game against Liverpool - where James Milner netted a first-half spot-kick in a 1-1 draw - the Special One claimed his side don't get the penalties they deserve, but see more than their fare share given up the other end.

Jose Mourinho has repeatedly hit out at referees this season
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Jose Mourinho has repeatedly hit out at referees this seasonCredit: Getty Images

Mourinho said: "I don't know. I don't know. I didn't watch but the referee was very close so probably it's a penalty.


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"The problem with the penalty is not just the criteria, sometimes you give, sometimes you don't and it's amazing that 19, 21, 21 Premier League matches, plus the three in the League Cup are 24, and one in the FA Cup is 25, in 25 matches we have had one penalty, but today was in our box.

"I didn't watch but I have to believe it was a penalty, I am happy for the referee if it was a penalty because his record against us is three matches and three penalties against us."

Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored Man United's equaliser, but should it have been ruled out?
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Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored Man United's equaliser, but should it have been ruled out?Credit: Reuters

So while Mourinho may curse his luck on the penalty front, his United fans have had more than their fair slice of the action when it comes to fortune...

In fact, United have scored no fewer than SIX goals in the past two months from offside positions - Zlatan Ibrahimovic's late leveller against Liverpool just the latest in a long line.

We take a look at all six...

WAYNE ROONEY vs Feyenoord: 4-0 win, November 24

There were suspicions of offside for Wayne Rooneys goal against Feyenoord
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There were suspicions of offside for Wayne Rooney's goal against FeyenoordCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

THE run of six offside goals in under eight weeks started back in November when Rooney netted in the 4-0 drubbing of Dutch side Feyenoord.

While a close-run thing, a fair portion of Roo was offside when Ibrahimovic played the ball to him...

It was tight, but still, rules are rules.

ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC vs Crystal Palace: 2-1 win, December 14

Paul Pogba set up Zlatan Ibrahimovic for his goal, but the Swede was standing offside
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Paul Pogba set up Zlatan Ibrahimovic for his goal, but the Swede was standing offsideCredit: Getty Images

A FEW weeks later, this time at Selhurst Park, United were once again on the receiving end of a lucky break.

Paul Pogba slotted the ball through for Ibra, who rifled home a late, late winner.

But the Eagles were left incredulous at the decision, with ref Craig Pawson refusing to budge.

HENRIKH MKHITARYAN vs Sunderland: 3-1 win, December 26

Henrikh Mkhitaryans Sunderland goal was sensational, but offside
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Henrikh Mkhitaryan's Sunderland goal was sensational, but offsideCredit: Getty Images

ARGUABLY the most famous of them all, perhaps this goal was allowed to stand just because of its sheer audacity, not to mention brilliance.

Armenian forward Mkhitaryan netted the his scorpion goal days before Arsenal's Olivier Giroud to stun Sunderland.

But replays clearly showed the United was offside...

ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC vs West Ham: 2-0 win, January 2

Zlatan Ibrahimovic netted crucial goal against West Ham, but was he offside?
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Zlatan Ibrahimovic netted crucial goal against West Ham, but was he offside?Credit: Getty Images

A GAME also remembered for the controversial sending-off of West Ham's Soufiane Feghouli, Mike Dean also allowed a questionable goal to stand.

In fact, Ibrahimovic was one of THREE players standing in an offside position for the clinching goal of the game.

That second goal killed off the game and whatever minor hopes the Hammers had left... but clearly should have been ruled out.

JUAN MATA vs Hull: 2-0 win, January 10

Juan Mata was miles offside for his goal against Hull in the EFL Cup
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Juan Mata was miles offside for his goal against Hull in the EFL CupCredit: Getty Images

WITH the EFL Cup semi-final tie level at 0-0 with nearly an hour gone, Mata took things into his own hands to net the first goal in a 2-0 win.

However, the Spanish attacking midfielder was clearly offside when he tapped home a Mkhitaryan knock-down.

The controversial goal all but sealed United's place in the final.

ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC vs Liverpool: 1-1 draw, January 15

Zlatan Ibrahimovic netted late leveller, but assister Antonio Valencia was well offside
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Zlatan Ibrahimovic netted late leveller, but assister Antonio Valencia was well offsideCredit: EPA

BACK to the present day and Liverpool were battling hard - thanks to some Simon Mignolet heroics - to clinch a much-needed win.

But then up popped Ibrahimovic to nod home the equaliser with minutes to go.

Replays showed that Antonio Valencia was miles offside when he pounced first to square the ball to Zlatan.

Still feel hard done by Jose? The Special One... More like The Lucky One.

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