Ex-referee & Gary Neville react after two controversial decisions in Man Utd win over Brighton
There was several contentious decisions at Old Trafford on Saturday as Manchester United beat Brighton
Manchester United defeated Brighton and Hove Albion 4-2 on Saturday evening at Old Trafford but the victory was not without incident.
The result was United’s third-straight win with Ruben Amorim’s side rocketing up the Premier League table in recent weeks.
United cruised into a comfortable 3-0 lead against the Seagulls with Matheus Cunha opening the scoring after 24 minutes. It did get nervy at one point before Bryan Mbeumo sealed victory deep into stoppage time.
However, the opening goal might have come sooner when Amad Diallo tangled with Brighton's Maxim De Cuyper in the box. Replays showed a small touch on the ball from the Brighton man as the Premier League Match Centre said: “The referee’s call of no penalty to Manchester United was checked and confirmed by VAR – with it deemed that De Cuyper played the ball.”
Ex-referee questions decisions as Man Utd beat Brighton
However, former PGMOL chief and ex-Premier League and FIFA listed referee Keith Hackett disagreed with that analysis. He said the foul on Amad was a “nailed on” penalty. There was further controversy just after the hour mark as United took a 3-0 lead via Mbeumo.
However, Brighton were left angered as referee Anthony Taylor did not award a foul in the build-up when Luke Shaw pulled back Georginio Rutter.
The Premier League Match Centre said of that decision: “The referee’s call of goal for Manchester United was checked and confirmed by VAR - with the contact from Shaw on Rutter in the build-up deemed to be minimal.”
Hackett responded to that statement, saying: “What abject nonsense and a disgrace that you are manipulating the law to cover up an error. Look at law 12.”
Law 12 of the IFAB Laws of the Game deal with fouls and misconduct and does state that a free-kick should be awarded if a player holds an opponent.
Gary Neville gives verdict on Luke Shaw shirt pull
Manchester United legend Gary Neville was at Old Trafford and said of the incident that “every manager in the country would want a foul for that.”
He also said: "There is a left hand and a little bit of a pull. It is soft but when you grab someone like that, he is away from Luke Shaw. I am surprised it hasn't been pulled back.
"He is past him as well. Manchester United won't mind."
The goal proved a decisive moment in the game as it put United out of sight with Brighton pulling two goals back but they could not find a third as Mbeumo added a fourth in stoppage time. Up next for Amorim’s side is a trip to Nottingham Forest before they travel to Tottenham Hotspur the following week.