‘I have been to noisier stadiums than this’
Steven Gerrard joked that the reaction he received from Manchester United fans at Old Trafford wasn’t all that intimidating.
The Aston Villa boss was subjected to several boos and jeers as he emerged from the tunnel on Monday night to watch his Aston Villa side lose to a first-half Scott McTominay header in the third round of the FA Cup.
However the former the Liverpool captain didn’t seem phased and had been spotted turning around to embrace the hostile atmosphere he received, displaying a wry smile.
An #EmiratesFACup 𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗱 returns 🙌#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/397cqwa3ou
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 10, 2022
After the game, the Villa boss was asked about his thoughts on the atmosphere, in which he chose to aim a subtle dig at the reception he received from the Old Trafford crowd.
“Relatively quiet! I have been to noisier stadiums than this,” he claimed.
“It was a good cup tie, a good atmosphere but in terms of what I got, water off a duck’s back.”
🗣️ "In terms of the performance and what the lads gave on the pitch I've got no complaints… I thought for large periods we were dominant."@AVFCOfficial manager Steven Gerrard reacts to tonight's @EmiratesFACup exit.
🎙️ @MattCritchley1#FACup #MUNAVL #AVFC pic.twitter.com/uDihdicFyX
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) January 10, 2022
Villa were the subject of VAR controversy after Danny Ings’ equaliser was ruled out following a lengthy delay initially looking at a suspected offside, however it was eventually disallowed for Jacob Ramsey’s foul on Edinson Cavani in the build-up.
The disallowed goal ultimately cost the away side the opportunity to take the game to extra-time at least, and Gerrard wasn’t happy with the time it took to make the decision.
Here's the VAR check, on what Aston Villa thought was an equaliser, in its entirety.
All 3 minutes & 45 seconds of it.
📺 Watch #MUNAVL on @BBCiPlayer and @BBCOne.#FACup #bbcfacup pic.twitter.com/RS9osiDXzJ
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) January 10, 2022
“How long have you got?” he said.
“The officials took three and a half minutes to settle that one. They have looked at two or three things in it.
“When VAR is there and they make a decision you have to accept it.
“There is nothing you can do to change it. The easy way out is to blame luck and the officials, we won’t do that.”
Villa and Gerrard will have a second chance to silence the United crowd this weekend when they host Ralf Rangnick’s side at Villa Park on Saturday.
Related links:
- Steven Gerrard booed by Man Utd fans on first return to Old Trafford
- Ralf Rangnick issues warning Man United players: adapt or leave
- Alan Shearer says Marcus Rashford is playing football like it’s a ‘chore’
