‘Absolute nonsense’ – Keith Hackett: Howard Webb must intervene after Man United controversy
Andrew Kitchen has left Howard Webb with unanswered questions following a controversial incident in Man United’s previous game.
That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that one player deserved to be sent off during the 1-1 draw between Man United and West Ham.
West Ham have since drawn 1-1 with Brighton, with Nuno Espirito Santo‘s side being handed a setback following a controversial decision from the referee and VAR.
Diogo Dalot and Soungoutou Magassa were both on target during the Premier League clash at Old Trafford on Thursday, 4 December, but the Red Devils might have had the upper hand in the closing stages.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka avoids a blatant sending-off vs Man United
In the 86th minute, already on a yellow card, Aaron Wan-Bissaka went crunching into a late challenge on Patrick Dorgu, completely missing the ball, but somehow getting away with it.
The referee waved advantage, with Man United still on the attack, and once the ball had gone out of play, everyone inside the stadium was expecting the full-back to be given his marching orders.
However, it was almost as if Kitchen had completely forgotten about the incident, despite only just booking Luke Shaw for a foul on Jarrod Bowen.
Rewatching the incident from multiple angles, the former head of the PGMOL struggled to understand how Wan-Bissaka lasted the full 90 minutes, suggesting that Webb should now be getting involved.
Howard Webb must address the controversial incident at Old Trafford
Hackett, exclusively speaking to Football Insider on The Final Whistle, said: “I was just fooled by it. Watching it, I was saying, ‘You’re off, mate. You’re going to have an early Christmas present,’ but nothing happened.
“The second yellow was worse than the first, and the second yellow was more like orange. On its own, I could have had it sit as a red. This was absolute nonsense.
“When we have situations like this, it’s important for Howard Webb to talk to the referees. He should say, ‘Talk me through this situation.’ Why didn’t you issue a yellow card? What have you seen that negates a yellow card?“