Former referee Dermot Gallagher has given a bemusing verdict on Manchester United conceding a penalty against Manchester City.
A first half penalty was awarded against Manchester United after Rasmus Hojlund was judged to have fouled Rodri inside the box.
Hojlund had an arm on Rodri but it was a routine incident which was bizarrely picked up on by VAR’s Michael Oliver, who sent referee Paul Tierney to the screen.
A penalty was awarded which put City 1-0 up at Old Trafford, setting them on course for a 3-0 win.
Dermot Gallagher view
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher gave his verdict on the incident when quizzed on Sky Sports News Ref Watch.
Gallagher agreed it was a foul by Rasmus Hojlund, commenting: “It’s difficult to say it’s not a foul.”
He added there might be another reason why the penalty was given: “I wonder if it would act as a deterrent rather than a punishment, at the moment defenders are prepared to take a chance.”
It seems bizarre if this is the case. Referees should not change how they are officiating games mid-season, and this goes back to the whole consistency argument.
United denied penalty v Arsenal
Manchester United fans pointed out how the team was denied a clear cut penalty against Arsenal when Hojlund was wrestled to the ground by Gabriel.
And if you want to take a look at a lack of consistency – look at how Gallagher reacted to that incident.
He told Ref Watch following that game: “You see this all the time and I’d be stunned if Anthony Taylor gave a penalty for it.”
When referees and former officials are making such subjective, inconsistent decisions, its easy to see why fans of all clubs get infuriated by these calls.
The game at Arsenal felt like a pivotal one in United’s season early on. And it is baffling why they picked up the very minor incident against City, otherwise than to simply making an example out of the Red Devils.
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