Fulham boss Alvaro Arbeloa charged by FA after claiming officials ‘would not let Manchester United lose’

The Football Association has charged Fulham boss Alvaro Arbeloa with misconduct following his claims that officials “would not let Manchester United lose" during their Premier League draw at Craven Cottage. Michael Carrick’s side were fortunate to leave with a point after Matheus Cunha’s 89th-minute deflected goal rescued a 1-1 draw on 20 September. Speaking during a post-match TV interview, Arbeloa stated the referee had given "all fouls" to the opposition and added: "I knew after the game against Man City that they (would not) let Manchester United lose here," referencing a controversial VAR decision from the Manchester derby the previous weekend. The FA alleges the manager "acted in an improper manner by making comments in a post-match interview that imply bias and/or question the integrity of a match official". Arbeloa, who assumed control at Fulham in the summer but is yet to win a league match, has until Thursday to respond. Matheus Cunha rescued a point for Man United (Getty) Fulham had gone ahead against United early in the second half thanks to a Lisandro Martinez own goal and looked on course for victory before Cunha’s late strike. Former United player and Sky Sports commentator slammed his old team’s performance, claiming they played the “worst 15 minutes of football” he can remember seeing since watching the team from the age of five. After the game, Neville explained his reasoning adding: “I was purely referring to the fact that they walked around the pitch. I’ve never seen a Manchester United team walk, out of possession, as much as that. “Michael [Carrick] said he was happy with the team’s energy, Michael’s got to stop defending them. I get why he’s defending them, he’s loyal and wants his players to work for him. Both teams were the same, I called them mannequins. I’ve never seen a Manchester United team, for 15 minutes, walk around out of possession as much as that. No alertness, no liveliness, no sort of on your toes. Just walking when Fulham were in possession. “There needs to be a rebalance,” Neville continued, “I wish he [Carrick] could play those attacking players but they’re going to kill him defensively.”