Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher dropped a clear-cut verdict on the challenge made against Alejandro Garnacho in Manchester United’s 3-0 win against Southampton on Saturday.
Manchester United returned to winning ways in the Premier League on the weekend and secured all three points at the St Mary’s to ease the pressure on Erik ten Hag.
The Red Devils faced a tough first half against Southampton and the Saints came close to taking the lead after Diogo Dalot’s challenge resulted in a penalty.
However, Andre Onana superbly denied Cameron Archer and the momentum swung in United’s favour for the remainder of the first half at the St Mary’s.
Matthijs de Ligt opened the scoring for United with a towering header in the 35th minute before Marcus Rashford netted for the Red Devils six minutes later.
Alejandro Garnacho climbed off the bench in the second half and slammed home United’s third in injury time to seal all three points for the Red Devils.
United are now 10th in the Premier League table after winning two matches and losing two in their first four fixtures of the 2024-25 season.
Erik ten Hag’s men had suffered back-to-back Premier League defeats ahead of the international break, with United losing 2-1 to Brighton and 3-0 to Liverpool.
Gallagher on Garnacho incident and red card
Erik ten Hag turned to Alejandro Garnacho in the 73rd minute and introduced the Manchester United winger into the attack in place of Marcus Rashford.
Garnacho was fortunate to avoid a nasty injury only six minutes later after Southampton captain Jack Stephens caught the United star with a high challenge.
Referee Stuart Attwell did not hesitate in pulling out a red card and Jack Stephens was sent marching down the tunnel, with the Saints reduced to 10 men.
Speaking on Sky Sports’ Ref Watch, Dermot Gallagher admitted that he thought Stephens’ challenge on Garnacho was a yellow card when he was watching it live.
However, the 67-year-old former Premier League referee admitted that Stuart Attwell was “absolutely right” with his decision to brandish a red card.
“I don’t mind a ref taking time,” he said.
“I watched it live and thought it was yellow, watched the replay and thought the referee was absolutely right. Credit to the referee.”
Gallagher reacts to penalty decision
Diogo Dalot was at fault for the penalty decision in the first half after he brought down Southampton midfielder Tyler Dibling in a poorly timed challenge.
Gallagher praised Stuart Attwell for his decision in the match to award a penalty, with the former referee believing that the challenge did happen inside the box.
“I think it’s a definite foul,” he said.
“You slide like that, you’ve got to get the ball and he doesn’t get the ball. I think it’s just inside the box. It’s a good decision by the referee.”
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
