Hackett slams Pawson for ‘clear and obvious error’ at Man United
Southampton’s goal against Manchester United should have been disallowed because of a “clear and obvious error” by the referee in the build-up.
That is the view of ex-Premier League and FIFA referee Keith Hackett, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about Jack Stephen’s challenge on Bruno Fernandes that began the move that saw Southampton open the scoring.
Fernandes went to ground but calls for a free-kick were waved away as the Saints launched an attack that ended in a Fred own goal.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer told Sky Sports after the game it was “100 per cent” a foul.
“He’s got every justification [to be annoyed],” Hackett told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“That was a foul. From that, they won the ball illegally and went on to score. That was poor refereeing from Craig Pawson.
“If we look, we talk about positioning, he’s side on, he’s not got a good view. The body is covering him.
“He’s got two people to help him. The assistant referee could have come in over the communication set and said ‘That’s a foul, Craig’. Ideally, he should have raised his flag.
“When the goal’s scored, at what point does VAR come in and say ‘Actually, that goal should not have been allowed because of a foul’.
“For me, I would have to say that’s a clear and obvious error by the referee and therefore VAR was lacking and should have come in.
“Solskjaer, in commenting on that, has got it exactly right.”
The 1-1 draw meant United equalled a Premier League record of 27 games unbeaten away from home.
They can go past Arsenal’s record if they avoid defeat against Wolves next weekend.
In other news, a Manchester United player has finalised a 2021/22 move after medical is passed.