Manchester United fans were unimpressed with the officiating in the 2-2 draw with Liverpool at Anfield.
Ahead of the trip to Anfield, Manchester United fans were frustrated to learn Michael Oliver would be the referee, the same official who sent off Diogo Dalot at the stadium last season.
Over the course of the 2-2 draw at Anfield, it was Liverpool who had the luck, benefitting from a VAR call that awarded a handball against Matthijs de Ligt.
They also got quite lucky that Darwin Nunez avoided a red card for a late and quite deliberate challenge on Matthijs De Ligt in the 77th minute.
Nunez booked and should have been sent off
Darwin Nunez was given a yellow card after a wiping out Matthijs de Ligt with a shoulder-first challenge when competing for a high ball.
Nunez made no attempt to play the ball and leaned his body directly into De Ligt to try and cause an impact. And he did.
Michael Oliver acknowledged that it was a foul – but did not see it as serious foul play or violent conduct, and having given a yellow, VAR did not review it.
Manchester United fans were unimpressed, taking to social media to voice agreement that Nunez should have been shown a red card.
One fan wrote: “Nunez should’ve been sent off for this. He had no desire to play the ball whatsoever, his intention was to hurt the player.”
Another agreed: “not even an attempt to get the ball … red card for me that.”
“Nunez looking at De Ligt and clatters him. How is that not a red?”, another fan asked.
“Why didn’t Darwin Nunez get sent off for this? Didn’t even get a VAR check. Casemiro does this he’d probably be banned for the rest of the season. Intentional shoulder into De Ligt, wasn’t looking at the ball at all. Pathetic,” blasted another.
These thoughts were echoed by another supporter, who argued: “How is Nunez not sent off there? May as well bin VAR if they’re not using it there.”
“Nunez should’ve literally been sent off and no one is talking about it,” moaned another, pointing to the lack of replays and scrutiny on Sky during and after the game.
And another fan posted: “Disgrace that Nunez hasn’t been sent off. Whatever Liverpool want though I suppose.”
United equalised moments later
If there was one consolation from the incident its that Manchester United were awarded a free-kick, and within two minutes, the Red Devils were level.
Amad scored his equaliser to tie up the game and take it to 2-2, and that is how it finished at Anfield.
De Ligt was unable to complete the game, substituted for Leny Yoro, who went on to pull off a perfectly timed sliding tackle inside the box in stoppage time.
Despite this, United may have gone onto make an advantage count in stoppage time with clearer cut chances if Liverpool had been reduced to 10 men.
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