Manchester United’s 2-2 draw vs Nottingham Forest was a fair reflection of the game, but former referee Mike Dean says it could have been different were it not for a ‘major error’ by the referee.
Refereeing errors are becoming a regular theme in Man Utd games, with the previous game against Brighton also blighted by multiple mistakes.
It’s widely accepted that over the course of the season, it all evens out, but it doesn’t excuse the error made in that moment.
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Speaking on Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday, former Premier League referee Mike Dean pointed out one such ‘major error’ made by the referee during Man Utd’s 2-2 draw against Forest.
Casemiro winning header to score for Manchester United.
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
Mike Dean on ‘major error’ in Man Utd vs Forest
Ruben Amorim struck a positive tone after the game, raving about the mentality of his team that would have collapsed in similar circumstances last season.
They were helped in that regard by scoring the first goal, a brilliant header by Casemiro nestled into the far post off a corner delivery by Bruno Fernandes.
Forest were incensed at the corner being given, however, arguing that the ball was in play, but the referee heard the call by his linesman and thought otherwise.
Mike Dean, speaking on Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday, sided with Sean Dyche after the game, saying the ball was clearly in, and the officials, the linesman in this case, shouldn’t get involved with a decision 80 yards away from him.
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Dean said: “100% he’s [the linesman] guessed. I mean, it’s not out of play. So he’s saying it is out. It’s clear it’s clearly in.
“It’s just a complete guess, and to look from 80 yards across the play and say that’s out of play. It’s impossible because you have two posts to look for look through and the defender’s foot. It’s just a guess 100%. As an official, you don’t want to get involved.
“He thinks it’s out, but factually, it’s in play. So he has just made a guess, and it’s a major error.”
Man Utd will need to make marginal calls inconsequential
The decision will be debated endlessly, but only because United scored from the resulting corner and came away with a point.
Had this game turned out like Brighton, where United won 4-2 despite a baffling refereeing performance, their case would have been much stronger.
As it stands, it looks like United were the beneficiaries of a refereeing error which allowed them to escape with a point.
That sort of narrative plays in the referee’s subconscious, and the next time United play, they will find it harder to get decisions in their favour.
They need to play so well that the referee’s marginal calls become inconsequential, like they did against Brighton, because it will put them in a virtuous cycle.
Control the controllable, and in this case, it’s their own performance, not what the referee decides.