United now has to beat refs too: Moyes

Manchester United has to play the officials as well as the opposition, manager David Moyes complained after his side was beaten 2-1 by Sunderland in the League Cup semifinal first leg on Tuesday.

Moyes, under pressure after losing his third consecutive game in all competitions, pointed the finger at referee Andre Marriner, who he criticized for awarding a free kick that led to Sunderland's opening goal.

The referee also had a decisive hand in Sunderland's winner, pointing to the penalty spot in the second half after Adam Johnson had been felled by Tom Cleverley, allowing Fabio Borini to smash the spot kick into the roof of the net.