Despite Manchester United’s impressive victory against top-of-the-table Arsenal, a former English football referee has argued that United were robbed.
Manchester United sent shockwaves through the Premier League this weekend as they left the Emirates with all three points, winning 3-2 against Mikel Arteta’s side.
Whilst this win is incredibly important for both the players at the club and United’s new interim manager Micheal Carrick, they were once again on the receiving end of a questionable refereeing decision that could have impacted the game entirely.
This isn’t an unusual scenario for the Reds to find themselves in, with a fair few unreliable decisions made against the club this campaign going unnoticed due to former manager Ruben Amorim’s lack of confrontation towards the referees.
While Darren Fletcher immediately questioned the referees, Carrick has so far kept quiet, with not much to complain about after two impressive results; some people disagree with the Englishman’s compliance during his most recent fixture.
Clattenburg on Arsenal’s goal
Although United returned to Old Trafford with a lot to brag about: taking home all three points as well as being the first away side to beat Arsenal at the Emirates this season, the Gunners are still the favourites to win the Premier League this season.
Mikel Arteta’s side heavily relies on their set pieces to increase the scoreline. There was no change during Sunday’s game, with the North London side scoring yet another set-piece goal, overwhelming Senne Lammens in the box and taking advantage of a loose ball in the process.
While Arsenal’s tactic of crowding the goalkeeper has been replicated by several other sides, including United, Mark Clattenburg has expressed his distaste for the technique following Sunday’s game.
He argued, “It’s clear that this has become more common when set-piece coaches were employed by clubs to get any advantage possible.
“It’s something the PGMOL and Premier League need to address, and any blocking on the goalkeeper must be punished by a free kick. Yes, more fouls will be given at first, but when teams realise they will not be allowed to use this tactic, they will stop. We see this tactic used less in the Champions League as referees punish more!”
Will these set piece tactics remain?
Amorim introduced the tactic during his time at the club, using it to the club’s advantage and its likley that Carrick will do the same, however this doesn’t mean its the right thing to do.
It completely takes away from the excitement of the game, with corners being treated like penalties with players’ focus being on the goalie instead of the ball being crossed in.
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Many believe that referees becoming stricter surrounding set pieces will enhance the football at hand. Teams will have no choice but to take greater risks instead of relying on corners to win games, football becoming flashy instead of routine and predictable.
The question lies in whether Premier League referees will start to penalise these moments or whether clubs will continue to replicate Arsenal’s set pieces.
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