Officials Admit Shocking Refereeing Blunder Cost Manchester United in Controversial Decision
Premier League refereeing chief Howard Webb has allegedly acknowledged Manchester United's concerns that Brentford skipper Nathan Collins deserved a red card during last weekend's encounter at the Gtech Community Stadium.
United had fallen behind 2-0 in the first half before Benjamin Šeško pulled the sluggish visitors back into contention in the 26th minute. Bruno Fernandes had an opportunity to equalize midway through the second period after Bryan Mbeumo was brought down by Collins.
The Premier League's official match centre defended the referee's choice to show Collins only a yellow card as correct by stating that "Mbeumo wasn't in control of the ball." However, as a community note on X highlighted, Law 12 indicates that the "likelihood of keeping or gaining control of the ball" is a factor when determining whether there has been denial of a goalscoring opportunity (which warrants a red card). Taking a shot is considered to meet the criteria of "being in control."
Even after being brought down by the Bees captain, Mbeumo still managed to direct the ball goalward. United privately questioned the decision and Webb was compelled to admit the mistake by his match officials, according to the Daily Mail.
Fernandes failed to convert the ensuing penalty and Brentford scored a third goal late to secure a memorable 3-1 victory, but the match would have certainly taken a different course had Collins been properly sent off.
Man Utd's Unfortunate History With Premier League Officials
United's leadership are reportedly appreciative of Webb's transparency and honesty, yet irritation may certainly be mounting at Old Trafford.
Just one team—coincidentally, Brentford—was considered to have endured more VAR mistakes than Manchester United during last season's entire Premier League campaign. One of those errors proved particularly costly.
The spot kick that Jarrod Bowen scored to seal United's defeat at West Ham's London Stadium last October was later acknowledged as an error. That decision didn't assist Erik ten Hag, who was dismissed by Manchester United the day following the loss.
Manchester United were previously considered the favorite of the division's referees. While this was naturally exaggerated by conspiracy-minded rival supporters, it would be understandable for some unconscious favoritism to influence referees' decisions when overseeing an institution as massive as the record Premier League winners under the commanding presence of Sir Alex Ferguson.
The present version of Manchester United is far removed from those prestigious days and their apparent treatment by the league's officials has followed a similar decline.