Sick racist tweets must be stopped, says Ole

OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER has hit out at Twitter trolls for racially abusing Marcus Rashford following his penalty miss against Crystal Palace yesterday.

Yet again, online abuse has reared its ugly head, just a week after similar racial slurs were levelled at Paul Pogba. Rashford hit the post from 12 yards after Scott McTominay was tripped inside the box in the second half when United were 1-0 down.

Moments later, a flurry of sickening racist tweets were directed at Rashford in anger at his failure to convert from the spot. The England international was called a n***** by multiple accounts, just days after Pogba was racially abused on Twitter after his penalty miss against Wolves.

Solskjaer (left) was made aware of the racism after the game and hit out at those responsible. ‘It needs to stop,’ he said. ‘I am lost for words. We keep having all these campaigns and people keep hiding behind fake identities.’

United released a statement this week condemning the tweets, while Twitter also promised to meet the club in a bid to stop it happening again.

Solskjaer also questioned the decision to turn down two United penalties despite them being checked by VAR. The manager felt they should have been awarded spot-kicks for a challenge by Martin Kelly on Anthony Martial and another by the same Palace defender against Dan James, who was booked for the second consecutive game for simulation.

In addition, referee Paul Tierney decided to give Gary Cahill a yellow card instead of red after he fouled Martial when the Frenchman looked ready to burst into the area and shoot.

‘With Martial, it was a clear penalty,’ said Solskjaer. ‘I don’t think the referee has had his best game. I’m surprised VAR didn’t change the decision, Martial will not slip if he doesn’t have a 70kg defender on his shoulder.

‘For the Cahill tackle, Martial is clear on goal, it is a scoring opportunity, so there is no doubt for me on that one either.’

Solskjaer admitted he is also worried that James will not get fair decisions after he was booked for diving against Wolves. ‘He is not that type of player.’