Unbelievable: Ex-Premier League referee gives verdict on six controversial decisions from Arsenal vs Man Utd - soccerdelights.com
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Unbelievable: Ex-Premier League referee gives verdict on six controversial decisions from Arsenal vs Man Utd

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Unbelievable: Ex-Premier League referee gives verdict on six controversial decisions from Arsenal vs Man Utd

Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has spoken about the officiating during Arsenal’s 3-1 win against Manchester United on Sunday.

Arsenal’s 3-1 victory over Manchester United was filled with controversy from start to finish.

There were a number of controversial decisions from onfield referee Anthony Taylor, who gave the Gunners a penalty, which was eventually overturned, whilst the Red Devils saw what looked like a winner in the 88th minute chalked off for offside following a VAR check.

Eventually, stoppage-time finishes from Declan Rice and Gabriel Jesus clinched all three points for Mikel Arteta’s side but some United supporters argued that Rice’s goal should have been disallowed for a potential foul in the build-up.

The ball dropped at the England international’s feet following a Bukayo Saka corner, with Gabriel Magalhaes and Jonny Evans seen grappling in the box.

Some fans thought that the Brazilian centre-back had impeded Evans but former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher dismissed those claims. “I think it could have been a foul the other way,” Gallagher told Sky Sports when asked if Gabriel fouled the Northern Irishman.

“I think Jonny Evans does as much (as Gabriel), they are both grappling with each other. In the end, Jonny Evans actually throws Gabriel out of the way so it’s a difficult call but the referee has got the perfect view. Could have easily gone the other way and it would have been a penalty.”

Gallagher also gave his view on Alejandro Garnacho’s disallowed finish, claiming that there can be no argument regarding the offside call or the angles that VAR is shown. “It’s calibrated from a number of positions around the ground and if it’s really, really tight, they put the cross lines on,” he replied when asked about the offside lines.

“We’ve come to agree now that this is what VAR is for. It’s right or wrong and with offsides, we know that. If they put the lines across and they say it’s just offside, it’s just offside Rob. Once you put the lines along, you’ve seen that Gabriel hasn’t tilted forward quite as much as Garnacho.”

United boss Ten Hag thought his side should have had a penalty following a tussle between Gabriel and Rasmus Hojlund but Gallagher again backed Taylor’s decision to wave play on. “Physical contact but I think the defender’s just too strong, I think he just pushes the ball too far and the defender just holds his ground,” he said when shown a replay of the incident in question.

“He doesn’t do anything wrong. I see this all the time and I’ve have been stunned if Anthony Taylor had given a penalty for it.”

Arsenal were given a penalty in the second half when Kai Havertz was adjudged to have been fouled by Aaron Wan-Bisaka before Taylor eventually overturned his decision after reviewing the replay via the on-screen monitor. Again, Gallagher agreed with the decision.

“I think so,” he said when asked if they came to the right decision in the end. “Hand on heart when I saw that yesterday I thought penalty. When I saw the second replay, I changed my mind 100 per cent.

“For me, I thought he tripped him (Havertz), when I saw the replay, I see this. Wan-Bisaka placed his foot and I think Havertz goes into him so I think the right decision was come to and that’s what we want. We talked about it last week.”

There was some clamour for Bukayo Saka to be awarded a red card in the first half following a studs-up challenge on United captain Bruno Fernandes. In the build-up, Saka had been fouled himself before lunging in, with Taylor giving the Gunners a free-kick whilst also booking the Hale End academy graduate in the process.

When asked to explain the decision, Gallagher added: “He (Saka) was fouled first, no doubt about that but he still follows through. I think the fact that he was low and I think the fact that he’s come from such a short distance (with) no intensity makes it a yellow card rather than a red card.

“It’s not one where he’s come four, five yards through the air so he’s got massive intensity. But it’s a foul and a yellow card. It’s ironic isn’t it, he gets a yellow card and according to the law they restart, quite rightly with a free-kick to Saka.”

United had a moment of their own when a red card could have been given, with Victor Lindelof fouling Eddie Nketiah in transition. Replays showed that Lindelof’s foot was high but it wasn’t enough for more than a yellow according to Gallagher.

“It was checked by VAR, I listened to it,” Gallagher said when asked if the clash was looked at. “It was felt that it was a yellow card, it can’t be DOGSO (Denying a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity) because it’s too far out on the wing.

“He doesn’t actually catch him in the head. It’s what I would call a strong yellow card but it’s a foul and a yellow card. If you look at it, it looks much worse. When you actually see what happens, he doesn’t;’ catch him with his studs, he doesn’t catch him in the face, he doesn’t catch him high.”

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“That particular player was the reason we sacked Erik ten Hag and I have warned Ruud van Nistelrooy to avoid using him.

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“That particular player was the reason we sacked Erik ten Hag and I have warned Ruud van Nistelrooy to avoid using him, If he breached the instructions then it will be over for him also”: Sir Jim Ratchliffe warns new Man United’s manager to avoid using ONE player who was the reason Erik ten Hag was sacked

Erik ten Hag has become the fifth Man United manager to be sacked in the last decade with the new club chiefs left unimpressed with his results this calendar year.

The Dutchman won two trophies in two seasons but guided United to their lowest Premier League finish last term. He was kept on by the new board this summer following an end-of-season review.”

However, having won just three of his first nine league games this campaign, Ten Hag has been relieved of his duties after 128 games as manager. Step-in caretaker Ruud van Nistelrooy takes charge while a permanent successor is sourced.

Van Nistelrooy becomes the ninth different figure – temporary or permanent – to lead the club since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013. He follows Ryan Giggs, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick in being among the Scot’s former players to take charge of United.

Earlier this month, Sir Jim Ratcliffe informed Ferguson that he would be relinquishing his role of club ambassador at the end of the season. It is thought the move is part of his cost-cutting exercises at the club, having already sanctioned the redundancies of 250 staff members this year.

However, the 72-year-old – who wishes to see United build a new 100,000-seater Old Trafford – has made clear that decisions regarding the first-team manager are not within his remit.

Asked about the future of Ten Hag earlier this month, Ratcliffe deflected: “I like Erik. I think he’s a very good coach but at the end of the day it’s not my call, it’s the management team that’s running Manchester United that have to decide how we best run the team in many different respects.”

Ratcliffe oversaw a revamp of the United boardroom this summer, with old figures ushered out and new top brass headhunted. Former Manchester City chief Omar Berrada was announced as the club’s new CEO in January while technical director Jason Wilcox was pinched from Southampton.

United had to fork out compensation to Newcastle United when acquiring sporting director Dan Ashworth, who insisted that the decision to keep Ten Hag was made before his summer arrival. United will lose around £17million in sacking compensation to Ten Hag.

Ineos sporting chief Sir Dave Brailsford and Ineos CEO Jean-Claude Blanc are also on the board while Christopher Vivell sits as director of global talent.

While clarifying his role in the managerial turnover process, Ratcliffe urged the boardroom to “to take stock and make some sensible decisions,” having “not been there a long time.”

He underscored: “Our objective is very clear – we want to take Manchester United back to where it should be, and it’s not there yet, obviously – that’s very clear.”

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Club statement…

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Club statement…

Erik ten Hag has left his role as Manchester United men’s first-team manager.

Erik was appointed in April 2022 and led the club to two domestic trophies, winning the Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024.

We are grateful to Erik for everything he has done during his time with us and wish him well for the future.

Ruud van Nistelrooy will take charge of the team as interim head coach, supported by the current coaching team, whilst a permanent head coach is recruited.

 

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Ten Hag out!! Predicted Man United line up under Xavi Hernandez – as INEOS set to sack Ten Hag if He fails to deliver West Ham game tomorrow

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Ten Hag out!! Predicted Man United line up under Xavi Hernandez – as INEOS set to sack Ten Hag if He fails to deliver West Ham game tomorrow

Barcelona legend Xavi has made his stance on Manchester United clear amid reports linking him as a possible replacement for Erik ten Hag as manager at Old Trafford. Ten Hag is under mounting pressure following a lackluster start to the season, with his side winning only three of their first eight Premier League matches.
This disappointing run has fueled speculation about his future, and names like former England manager Gareth Southgate, Brentford boss Thomas Frank, and Xavi have all surfaced as potential replacements.
Xavi’s thoughts on Manchester United have resurfaced from a past interview, providing some insight into his view of the club.
Speaking after Barcelona’s Europa League tie against Manchester United in 2023, the former Barca midfielder expressed respect for the Red Devils and praised Ten Hag for the progress he had made with the team. “I think Manchester is coming back, and they showed their best,” Xavi said in an interview with TNT Sport. “We need to be proud.
I think both teams are more or less in the same moment, in the same position, that we are coming back. I said to Ten Hag now, ‘Congratulations,’ because he’s doing very well and they are Manchester United.”
Xavi’s remarks reflected his belief that both Barcelona and United were in periods of rebuilding, with the potential to reestablish themselves as top contenders in Europe.
He even hinted that future meetings between the two clubs could happen in the latter stages of the Champions League. His praise for United and Ten Hag has now taken on new relevance as discussions about his potential move to the Premier League intensify.
Reports have emerged suggesting that Manchester United CEO Omar Berrada traveled to Spain for two rounds of talks with Xavi to explore the possibility of bringing him to Old Trafford.
However, it seems that Xavi, who is currently enjoying some time away from the game, is not interested in cutting his break short. According to the Spanish newspaper AS, the 44-year-old has no intention of returning to management just yet, even if it means passing up a significant opportunity with a club as prestigious as Manchester United.
Meanwhile, Ten Hag has addressed the ongoing rumors surrounding his job, expressing frustration with the media’s portrayal of his situation. Before United’s recent 2-1 win over Brentford, Ten Hag dismissed the speculation, calling it “noise” created by the press. “Noise is only coming from some of you [media], creating stories and fairytales, bringing lies,” he said.
Ten Hag emphasized that while the team is unhappy with its current position in the league, they remain calm and confident in their plan. He assured that despite the speculation, he believes success will come under his leadership.
The situation leaves Manchester United in a state of uncertainty, with Ten Hag fighting to keep his position amid a difficult run of form, while Xavi, one of the names floated as a possible successor, seems uninterested in taking over at this time. As rumors continue to swirl, both the club and its fans await further developments.

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