1 min read
Football Insider

Manchester United's Refereeing Woes: Seeking Justice and Consistency

Manchester United's frustration with perceived refereeing injustices has reached a boiling point, prompting the club to demand explanations from referees' chief Howard Webb. Controversial decisions, VAR rulings, and errors have marred the club's season, leading to calls for greater consistency and accountability in officiating.

Manchester United's Refereeing Woes: Seeking Justice and Consistency

Perceived refereeing injustices have been a recurring theme for Manchester United this season, drawing strong reactions from the club's management, players, and pundits. Such is the resentment felt at Old Trafford the club now reportedly plan to formalise their grievances with the head of the referees' governing body PGMOL, Howard Webb in a key meeting.The club has faced several controversial decisions, with many feeling that VAR rulings have consistently gone against them this season, impacting crucial match outcomes. And the club have decided to take official steps, according to the Daily Mail. Boss Ruben Amorim is not believed to be involved in the decision, but has vocalised the team's frustrations throughout the season, commenting after one match: "Three times this season we feel injustice. We need to be tougher in these situations, but at the same time, the referees should be consistent in their decisions."One of the most notable and admitted errors of the season came during the 3-1 defeat by Brentford. Bees defender Nathan Collins avoided a red card despite hauling down Bryan Mbeumo when he had a clear goal-scoring opportunity inside the box. Referee Craig Pawson awarded a penalty and showed a yellow card, a decision VAR confirmed, explaining Mbeumo was not in control of the ball. This explanation was widely debated, and it was later understood that PGMOL chief Howard Webb acknowledged this was an error and Collins should have been dismissed. And in the match against Arsenal, which United lost 1-0 in August, there was more anger. In the build-up to Arsenal's winning goal, there was a foul on Mason Mount which was not called. In the draw with West Ham, former United player Aaron Wan-Bissaka avoided a second yellow card and a red for a late, sliding challenge on Patrick Dorgu, just moments after being booked for a studs-up challenge on Mason Mount. Former Premier League referee Keith Hackett criticised the decision to let play continue, stating he would "like him to review the two Wan-Bissaka challenges, particularly the last one. On a yellow card, you put in a reckless challenge, he should have had a second yellow followed by the red".The away match against Wolves earlier this month also highlighted perceived inconsistencies in handball decisions. In the first half, a shot from Amad Diallo struck Wolves defender Emmanuel Agbadou's arm in the penalty area, but neither the on-field referee nor VAR intervened. This incident was not given as a penalty, a decision Mark Clattenburg and other analysts believe was a missed intervention by VAR. Later in the same match, a penalty was awarded for a similar incident involving another Wolves defender, leading to fan and club frustration over application of the handball law.Looking for smarter football bets? Get expert previews, data-driven predictions & winning insights with GOAL Tips on Telegram. Join our growing community now!Premier League all-time top goalscorer Alan Shearer weighed in on the Brentford decision, stating, “That was a clear red card. The decision was awful... Collins should definitely have been sent off. No question. United suffered for it, having to face 11 men, and the game swung from that moment". And former Arsenal striker Ian Wright stated earlier this season: "This is the highest level of football and we do not have the highest level of referees. When will the Premier League bring the best refs into the so-called best league in the world? Because, at the moment, with this level of referees, we're nowhere near it. Nowhere near it." Ex-Blackburn Rovers and Tottenham midfielder Tim Sherwood has also spoken on the issue, saying: "Fans and managers need to come together and strike in terms of voicing all our frustrations on the quality of referees."Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reportingLast year the referees' governing body introduced several initiatives to refine the use of the VAR and improve decision-making speed and accuracy. Semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) is in full operation this season after being introduced in April of last season. This technology uses optical player tracking and generates virtual graphics to make offside decisions faster and more consistent, reducing the average check time significantly. Referees now use the stadium's public address system to explain their final decisions after an on-field review has changed the original decision. This improves transparency for fans in the stadium and at home, as the audio is also broadcast. A dedicated social media account also provides real-time facts and explanations for key VAR decisions during matches. Officials have received updated guidance on specific areas such as holding in the penalty area during set pieces, with a directive to penalise offences more consistently. And a new "Captains Only" approach aims to limit player interaction with referees to just the team captains.

1

Inconsistencies and Controversies

Manchester United's encounters with referee decisions this season have stirred strong emotions within the club and amongst fans. From the missed red card against Brentford to contentious handball calls, the team has felt aggrieved by several key incidents.

2

Seeking Justice: Club's Stand

The decision to formalize grievances with PGMOL chief Howard Webb underscores Manchester United's commitment to ensuring fairness and transparency in officiating. The club's management and former players have been vocal in their criticism, emphasizing the need for consistent decision-making.

3

Calls for Improvement

Renowned figures like Alan Shearer, Ian Wright, and Tim Sherwood have joined the chorus of voices advocating for higher standards in refereeing. Suggestions for better training, recruitment of top officials, and greater collaboration between stakeholders have been put forth to address the current challenges.

4

Initiatives for Change

While the introduction of VAR was meant to enhance the accuracy of decisions, Manchester United's encounters highlight the need for continued refinement. Initiatives such as SAOT, enhanced transparency through public address announcements, and social media updates aim to improve the overall match officiating experience.

Published on Dec 18, 2025