Sunderland head coach Gus Poyet has suggested that referees are not performing to the required standard across the board.

The Black Cats' 2-0 defeat to Manchester United on Saturday included a controversial decision by match official Roger East.

The referee awarded a penalty to United after John O'Shea brought down Radamel Falcao, but rather than the Irishman being given a red card, East sent off Wes Brown.

"The problem we have lately in football, and I'm not just talking about us, is after the game we're talking about a bad decision," the Shields Gazette quotes Poyet as saying. "Something always happens.

"If he gives the penalty, which apparently was a penalty - I just saw one quick moment and John is sent off - then perhaps we would not be talking about anything apart from the game afterwards."

Sunderland are just three points above the relegation zone in the Premier League table.