The Premier League must be having some kind of a joke at Manchester United’s expense.
After seeing two goals ruled out by officials against Burnley, we are not laughing.
The league has confirmed Stuart Attwell has been appointed referee for Manchester United’s match with Southampton on Saturday.
Attwell was in charge of VAR for Manchester United’s FA Cup tie against Middlesbrough, the FA confirmed, and decided to permit the away side’s controversial handball equaliser.
He was also the VAR official for United’s draw with Burnley in midweek, in which two goals were ruled out.
Tone-deaf appointment
The Premier League are inviting criticism for themselves and for Attwell with this tone-deaf appointment for Saturday’s game.
The handball assisted equaliser for Middlesbrough was widely decried as an incorrect decision, however you decide to implement the rules.
David de Gea and Rio Ferdinand both slammed the awarding of the goal, which ended up forcing extra-time and penalties, which United lost.
The penalty award was just one factor in United’s defeat, with wasteful finishing, just like in the draw against Burnley.
It is quite ludicrous Attwell was VAR official for that game too, and now gets the chance as referee for United’s fixture with Southampton.
How much damage will he do against United in Saturday’s game? Well, here’s the good news…
Attwell’s record in charge of United
Attwell has been referee for Manchester United 11 times. In those games, United have won 8, drawn one, and lost two.
He he has only sent off one United player in those matches, Sergio Romero against Derby in the League Cup in 2018.
Attwell has also given five penalties for United, including two in one game against Norwich in 2019.
The others came in games against Reading and Huddersfield, and notably – in United’s 3-2 win against Southampton at Old Trafford in 2019.
With United hosting Southampton once again this weekend, perhaps he is not such a bad omen after all…
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