Hackett: Peter Bankes guilty of ‘amazing’ Patrick Dorgu error in Man United clash
Patrick Dorgu was harshly punished for an incorrectly-given foul in Manchester United’s draw with Bournemouth, Keith Hackett has said.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that referee Peter Bankes was “out of his depth” after the Man United wing-back was booked for a very weak foul on Adam Smith.
Bankes’ performance resembled a rabbit in headlights over the course of a match marred in controversy, as Bournemouth spent much of the second half with 10 men after Evanilson’s even harsher red card.
Bournemouth had their backs to the wall and defended doggedly after Antoine Semenyo’s first-half opener, but United eventually broke through and equalised in the 96th minute through Rasmus Hojlund.
Patrick Dorgu caught in ‘out of depth’ Man United controversy
Dorgu’s yellow card compounded a below-par display from Man United’s newest big-money addition; caught out on the left side of Ruben Amorim’s defence when Semenyo slammed Bournemouth in front.
However, in a game which saw Tyler Adams avoid a red card for a reckless tackle prior to the Cherries’ opener and Evanilson sent off despite a clear slip, it’s perhaps Dorgu who may feel the hardest done by.
| Bournemouth | Statistics | Man United |
| 1 | Goals | 1 |
| 0.67 | xG | 2.57 |
| 1 / 8 | Shots on Target | 6 / 25 |
| 39% | Possession | 61% |
| 5 | Corners | 10 |
After he engaged in a footrace with Bournemouth skipper Smith, got to the ball first and played it, Dorgu was bizarrely penalised and shown a yellow card as Bankes deferred to the decision of his assistent.
Hackett couldn’t believe Bankes’ decision to uphold the yellow card despite Dorgu’s challenge barely being worthy of a foul, and told the PGMOL to quickly raise the standard of Premier League referees.
Premier League referee standards hit ‘amazing’ new low – Keith Hackett
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former FIFA referee let loose at Bankes’ performance and questioned how such a simple incident was dealt with so poorly.
“The referee is not having a good game – he has yellow carded Manchester United’s Dorgu, who played the ball and there was no offence!”, Hackett told Football Insider.
“What is happening to the standard of our officiating? Peter Bankes looks out of his depth – he makes a wrong yellow card decision, on the assumption that Dorgu has committed a reckless offence.
“Amazing – the Assistant Referee had a good view [and] also didn’t help, because he flagged for a foul against the Man United player.
“[Adam] Smith of Bournemouth made quick for the ball and missed it. Dorgu didn’t even make a foul-worthy challenge, it wasn’t a foul!”
Dorgu certainly hasn’t has the start he’d have hoped for in Man United colours, and although the Red Devils came away from Bournemouth with a hard-earned point, his yellow card will be another sore point.
Ruben Amorim’s side remain stuck in the bottom half of the Premier League table as the transfer window approaches, and given the lack of impact his first headline signing has made, United fans will worry what the summer has in store.