FANS believe Manchester United’s clash with Galatasaray has been rigged after the Red Devils benefitted from a tight offside call and a controversial handball decision.
The Red Devils raced into a 2-0 lead in Istanbul but could have gone into half-time all square.
Mauro Icardi was judged to be offside by the highest of margins
Scott McTominay was not penalised after the ball struck his arm
Hakim Ziyech pulled one back and Mauro Icardi then fired past Andre Onana – only to be called offside.
The lino flagged the striker offside and VAR backed up his decision in a matter of seconds – seemingly without drawing the lines.
Even the semi-automated system sparked controversy as Harry Maguire appeared to play Icardi onside with the top of his arm.
A fan reacted saying: “Never offside. Such a disgrace.”
Another remarked: “Where were the lines? He looks on.”
And a third wrote: “Robbery.”
Galatasaray also could have had a penalty but Scott McTominay was judged not to have committed a handball despite the ball striking his arm in the penalty box.
Fans were outraged by the decision – particularly as it came less than 24 hours after Newcastle defender Tino Livramento was punished for a lesser offence.
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The right-back was penalised for handball despite the ball coming off his thigh first before hitting his arm with the faintest of touches.
Champions League referees have been quick to point to the spot whenever a ball strikes a players hand in the area – as United found out to their advantage and their detriment in their previous European clash against Copenhagen.
United have conceded a penalty in their four previous Champions League games, yet some fans feel the referee letting them off means the game is a fix.
One said: “Think about it… Uefa will lose a lot of profit if United don’t make it through, so they will do as much as they can to make them qualify.
“RIGGED ”
Another added: “This is a clear penalty, VAR rigging the match for Manchester United again smh”
A third said: “To be honest that was a clear penalty, fix is def in tbh.”