MANCHESTER UNITED fans have wildly claimed the Premier League is FIXED for Arsenal after two costly decisions in Wednesday night’s 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace.
Scott McTominay was denied a penalty and fellow Red Devils’ midfielder Casemiro will miss Sunday’s trip to the table-topping Gunners after picking up his fifth booking.
PAMan Utd ace Casemiro is out of Sunday’s visit to Arsenal following his booking against Crystal Palace[/caption]
ReutersCasemiro’s careless lunge on Eagles’ dangerman Wilfried Zaha earned the United midfielder what could be an expensive yellow card[/caption]
GettyMany Man Utd fans were convinced this challenge by Palace’s Chris Richards on Scott McTominay should have brought a spot-kick[/caption]
Those two moments sparked some outlandish allegations on social media after United missed the win that would have put them second.
The most bizarre suggestion was: “They’ve rigged the league for Arsenal to win. What a disgraceful League this is, the Premier League do not deserve Manchester United.”
Another supporter posted: “It looked a pen in real time, the replay confirmed it? Not a good night for the integrity of referees, especially after VAR missed Martinez getting an elbow to the head.”
SunSport’s refereeing expert and former Prem whistler Mark Halsey believes McTominay “SHOULD” have got a spot-kick.
The Scotland star was sent tumbling after Chris Richards stepped across him.
But VAR official Neil Swarbrick declined to intervene as he felt ref Robert Jones had not made a clear and obvious error.
Most United fans, however, appeared to agree that Casemiro deserved his yellow card after he floored Wilfried Zaha with a reckless challenge.
And many observers suggested it could easily have been a red card.
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The Red Devils were edging to victory through Bruno Fernandes’ neat finish when McTominay went sprawling.
Some United supporters labelled it a “stonewall” or “definite” penalty but others argued it was difficult to judge if Richards made contact with the ball or player.
But after the spot-kick row, Michael Olise snatched a draw for the Eagles in stoppage time with a brilliant free-kick.
And this post spoke for many Red Devils’ supporters: “Not only should that have been a pen, would’ve probably meant Rashford keeps his scoring form, win the game (2-0) and Casemiro is off without the yellow.
“Now we dropped 2 points and Casemiro is suspended. Absolutely gutted.”