Ex-Fifa official: Scott McTominay a ‘lucky boy’ as ‘suspicious’ Man United footage emerges
Southampton should have had a penalty in their 1-0 loss to Man United on Saturday (27 August), according to Keith Hackett.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee claimed Scott McTominay was a “lucky boy” to not give away a spot kick for handball.
Shortly after Bruno Fernandes’ goal, the ball appeared to hit McTominay‘s arm multiple times after a header from Che Adams just inside the United penalty area.
Referee Andy Madley waved away Saints’ appeals and VAR operator Peter Bankes did not feel it was a clear and obvious error so did not intervene.
“I’ve had another look at it,” Hackett said after analysing the footage with Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“The hand is there but it’s about the speed and the question the referee has to ask is, can he get his hand out of the way?
“We’ve seen them given, that’s the problem.
“The referee is in a credible position but I’ve seen them given. I think they are lucky, in a way, that the penalty kick wasn’t given.
“They probably think, because it’s deflected and he can’t get his hand out of the way that’s probably why a penalty kick has not been awarded.
“You look at the position of the hand and arm and that raises suspicion, that’s the problem. There are no doubt that the position of his hand and arm have made his body wider, that’s not a natural position.
“It’s a bit of a ricochet and he’s got the benefit of the doubt. He’s a lucky boy.”
In other news, Kieran Maguire has claimed Man United are ready to strike a £200million deal as a Glazer funding plan emerges.