Stuart Attwell has been at the centre of some recent refereeing controversies involving Manchester United.
At the start of February, Attwell was the VAR when Matt Crooks’ equaliser for Middlesbrough at Old Trafford was bizarrely allowed to stand despite blatant handball in the build-up was allowed to stand.
That decision led to United’s elimination from the FA Cup and the subsequent loss of momentum which created a stuttering February.
He was also the VAR official for United’s draw with Burnley later in the month, in which two goals were ruled out.
Both were borderline decisions at the very best, which prevented United translating first half dominance into a two or three goal lead.
In both cases, Attwell was not the only reason United did not go on to win the game but it is fair to say that another official could have ruled in a different way without too much complaint.
And now Attwell, fresh from officiating the EFL Cup final between Chelsea and Liverpool on Sunday, is on VAR for another United match.
He is the man in front of the monitor for this weekend’s Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium, with Michael Oliver taking charge of the game on the field.
Let’s be clear, United will need to play a lot better than they did in November’s Old Trafford meeting for VAR to even be a relevant factor at the weekend.
But plenty of recent matches have gone down to fine margins and it would be a shame if VAR was the taking point after the game.
Attwell was also in charge of the recent 1-1 draw with Southampton, where United lost their head a bit in pursuit of a winner in the second half.
Even if another decision or two go against United this weekend, they need to keep their composure in one of the most emotional games of the season.
City got away with one hugely with VAR on Saturday, when Rodri should have conceded a penalty after a blatant handball, so it is to be hoped that United are due the rub of the green…
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