Following a dramatic 4-2 victory against Brighton & Hove Albion, Manchester United claimed its third successive Premier League victory. However, it wasn't without its fair share of drama, as an ex-Premier League referee has come out to claim United's third goal should have been disallowed.
After a rocky start to the season, Ruben Amorim has seemingly steadied the ship in Manchester, as his side won for a third time in a row, something they hadn't done since February 2024. With Bryan Mbeumo claiming two goals and Matheus Cunha and Casemiro getting one apiece, it was a stellar performance from the home side.
Despite conceding twice, Senne Lammens continued to impress, but it is Mbeumo and Luke Shaw who find themselves at the centre of controversy. With United having had two penalties waved away in the first half, a seemingly clear-cut foul from Shaw was ignored in the sequence to Mbeumo's goal.
An error that even Gary Neville was dumbfounded at, an ex-Premier League referee has taken to X to reveal his disbelief at the decision.
Ex-Premier League Referee Questions Refereeing in Manchester United Victory
Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro embracing after Manchester United score against Chelsea
It is not new for a Premier League game to finish and many be questioning the refereeing that was on display. With debatable calls and VAR errors slowly becoming commonplace in the modern game, the most recent controversy was witnessed at Old Trafford.
With Georginio Rutter on the ball in the middle of the park, Luke Shaw won possession back by pulling the shirt of the Frenchman, bringing him to the floor. Three touches later, and the ball was soon with Mbeumo, who slotted the ball into the bottom right corner. A call that was not given on the pitch or retrospectively by VAR, Keith Hackett, former Premier League referee, took to X (formerly Twitter) to reveal his incredulity.
Unanimously agreed upon as being a foul online, even Manchester United fan and legend, Gary Neville, was sure it would be ruled out, and was baffled at how it wasn't.
“This is the foul. Let’s have a look at it. There’s a left hand and a little bit of a pull. I think that this might get chalked off ... Oh, he’s confirmed the goal. He’s not gone for that. I mean, it’s soft, but when you grab someone’s shirt, and you impede them like that, and he was getting away from Luke Shaw, I’m surprised that hasn’t been pulled back.”
A goal that gave United a 3-0 lead, it remains to be seen what would have ensued in the game if it had been ruled out. With Brighton having scored twice afterward, the Seagulls may feel hard done by the fact that a potential comeback was ruled out by the referees and VAR allowing Mbeumo's goal to stand.