An Ex-Premier League referee has given their opinion on the controversial free-kick that led to Manchester United’s opener against Fulham on Sunday.
Michael Carrick’s second stint as interim boss of Manchester United has undoubtedly got off to a better start than anyone could have predicted. Three games and three wins have propelled the Red Devils into the top four and firmly in the running for Champions League qualification.
The team has seemingly transformed over the space of a couple of months, whether this is down to Carrick or the departure of Ruben Amorim as an individual, it has yet to be seen, but it has left the fanbase with a sense of optimism which has been missing over the last few seasons.
Seeing players like Kobbie Mainoo being reintroduced into the squad displays Carrick’s belief in the youth, providing building blocks for a more sustainable future at Old Trafford, focusing on talented, academy products.
However, Sunday’s match against Fulham also dealt a stroke of luck in United’s favour, something which has been lacking so far in the campaign. The decision, which left Fulham boss Marco Silva infuriated, has led to both referee John Brooks and VAR finding themselves under a lot of scrutiny.
Ex-Premier League referee gives his opinion on United’s controversial opening goal
United took the lead 20 minutes into the match after Casemiro nodded home a Bruno Fernandes free-kick at the back-post. Originally, a penalty was awarded to the Red Devils, but it was overturned by VAR as the tackle was deemed fair; instead, a free-kick was awarded as Matheus Cunha had his shirt pulled just outside the box
The decision came as a surprise to many fans and pundits who hadn’t seen VAR overturn a penalty and award a free-kick before this, and former Premier League referee, Dermot Gallagher, gave his opinion on the decision.
Speaking on SKY Ref Watch, Gallagher said: “Straight away, I knew it wasn’t a penalty.
“The trajectory of the ball told me everything. There’s no doubt he lets go of the shirt before they enter the penalty area. It’s factually outside, so they gave a free-kick.”
Appearing alongside Gallagher, former Premier League midfielder Jamie O’Hara said: “It’s a mess. The referee is not looking at the shirt pull. The referee blows up for the tackle, not for the shirt pull. I’d love to see what the audio is saying.
“They decide it’s not a penalty, so then it should be a drop ball for Fulham, but they go back to try and get themselves out of jail. The referee makes the decision on the tackle, not the shirt pull. The problem they’ve got is they go back and give the shirt pull, which is outside the area and then they score from the free-kick.”
Marco Silva left fuming with VAR decision
Speaking to the press after the game, Marco Silva made his feelings clear regarding VAR and John Brooks himself, “The penalty was given – it was a bad, bad, bad decision from John Brooks.
“The ball went for a corner. The feedback we got on the touchline was that after the review John Brooks was going to go to the screen because in VAR’s opinion it was not a penalty and that after that comes a completely different decision, they give a free-kick for a pull.
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“It’s the first time this season that a penalty has been given for one incident and then a VAR decision comes from a completely different incident and gave a free-kick. It’s the first time we have seen that this season, last season, but maybe it comes more in the future.”
VAR seems to be a topic of discussion after every set of Premier League games, a system that divides fanbases and pundits. Still, it is a problem that affects all clubs, and I’m sure United players are relieved they weren’t on the wrong end of the decision.
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