Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher reacted to the incident involving Matheus Cunha and William Saliba during Manchester United and Arsenal’s clash.
Manchester United were trailing Arsenal for the majority of Sunday’s 1-0 defeat after Riccardo Calafiori broke the deadlock for the Gunners at Old Trafford in the first half.
Following Riccardo Calafiori’s close-range header from Declan Rice’s corner in the 13th minute, United fought back in their pursuit of a key equaliser against Arsenal.
However, the Red Devils were unable to rescue a Premier League point in their opening match of the 2025-26 campaign and Arsenal came out on top in the tie.
Matheus Cunha started the match against Arsenal and the United summer signing saw out the full 90 minutes, including being involved in one contentious incident.
READ MORE: ‘No, it’s a fight’… Ruben Amorim breaks silence on two key Man Utd players after Arsenal result, his stance is clear
William Saliba battles with Matheus Cunha during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford in 2025 in Manchester, England.
Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Dermot Gallagher’s verdict on referee Simon Hooper after Man Utd’s penalty appeal amid the Matheus Cunha and William Saliba tussle
Former Wolves ace Matheus Cunha was brought down in the second half at Old Trafford after a challenge from defender William Saliba inside the Arsenal box.
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Referee Simon Hooper did not point to the spot and Manchester United fans felt that they were hard done by after the Red Devils were denied a key penalty on Sunday.
Speaking after Arsenal’s Premier League win over United, Dermot Gallagher dropped his two cents on the widely contentious incident involving Cunha and Saliba.
"You get in his face!"
Roy Keane says Man United were not aggressive enough in defending the corner that Arsenal scored from 🔊 pic.twitter.com/Y5OJWjXyTG
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 17, 2025
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The 68-year-old former Premier League referee admitted that he felt that Simon Hooper made the right call to wave away the penalty appeal from United.
“I wasn’t convinced it was a penalty,” Gallagher said on Sky Sports’ Ref Watch.
“What I would say is if it is going to be a penalty, it’s one the referee is going to give. VAR will not get involved in this.”
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Dermot Gallagher’s stance on Man Utd’s dismissed penalty shout vs Arsenal sparks a reaction from Sky Sports pundit Jay Bothroyd
Gallagher was in the Sky Sports studio alongside Jay Bothroyd and the former Premier League referee’s verdict was not shared by the pundit next to him.
Jay Bothroyd insisted that Arsenal centre-back Saliba was at fault in the incident and United signing Cunha would not have hit the floor had it not been for the challenge.
“How is that not a penalty? It’s a guaranteed penalty,” he said.
“If it happens on the halfway line, it is a free kick.
“Saliba has hit his foot and the ball has gone nowhere. If Saliba isn’t there, Cunha doesn’t go down. It’s a penalty.”
United will resume their 2025-26 Premier League season on Sunday, with Ruben Amorim and his men travelling to Craven Cottage for their match against Fulham.