Anthony Taylor, Amad penalty decision v Brighton
(Credit: Imago)
Oliver Walton
Sat 25 October 2025 18:45, UK
Man United should have been given a penalty in the first-half of their Premier League clash against Brighton on Saturday afternoon.
That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that Amad was fouled by Maxim De Cuyper and a penalty should have been given to Man United by Anthony Taylor.
Man United have been involved in numerous refereeing controversies already this season, and their latest clash against Brighton at Old Trafford was no different.
Ivory Coast international Amad felt he should have had a penalty in the 15th minute as he entered the Seagulls’ area from the right flank and looked to have been tripped by De Cuyper.
Nothing was given by Taylor or the VAR officials despite the hosts’ claims, but the Red Devils soon went ahead anyway as Matheus Cunha finished well from outside the box for his first goal for the club.
Casemiro doubled United’s advantage before the interval as his shot deflected in off Yasin Ayari as the hosts gave themselves a brilliant platform to go on and win.
Amad in action for Man United
Credit: Imago
Amad penalty claims waved away early on
The Premier League released a statement about Amad last weekend as Liverpool claimed that he had committed handball in the area in the first half of United’s 2-1 win at Anfield.
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He was involved in more drama this time around as he felt he had been tripped by De Cuyper when aiming to enter the box from the right flank in the 15th minute.
Replays showed that he had certainly been caught by the Brighton defender, but he was deemed to have caught enough of the ball for the spot-kick to be denied.
#MUNBHA – 15’
The referee’s call of no penalty to Manchester United was checked and confirmed by VAR – with it deemed that De Cuyper played the ball.
— Premier League Match Centre (@PLMatchCentre) October 25, 2025
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The Premier League released a statement on X following the decision to explain that he “played the ball,” but Hackett, like many neutrals and United fans, believes the wrong decision was made.
Keith Hackett blasts Taylor after ‘careless challenge’ sees wrong decision made
Hackett told Football Insider last week that Amad should not have been booked for a challenge on Cody Gakpo, and he sided with the 23-year-old once again for this Brighton drama.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the penalty situation, the former referee said: “This is a nailed on penalty kick the Brighton player sticking out his right leg behind him bringing the player down.
Keith Hackett
“This was a careless challenge by the Brighton player. This nonsense that he might have got a slight touch on the ball does not negate that this player fouled his opponent.
“Penalty kick should have been the outcome.”