Leeds vs Man United ref watch: Three decisions Jarred Gillet got wrong
Leeds United played out a 1-1 draw with Manchester United in the Premier League’s early kick-off on Sunday afternoon.
The meeting between the two bitter rivals was always likely to have a significant impact at both ends of the Premier League table, and a draw aids both sides in their respective aims for the season.
Leeds’ recent resurgence has given them fresh hope of beating the drop, while this weekend’s stalemate at Elland Road also helped to keep Manchester United in touch with Liverpool in the race for the top four.
Brenden Aaronson put the hosts ahead in West Yorkshire, before Matheus Cunha levelled in a lively encounter that was always likely to provide a busy afternoon for referee Jarred Gillett.
With that in mind, Football Insider picks out three decisions that the man in the middle got wrong during the game.
Patrick Dorgu unlucky to be booked for first-half challenge vs Leeds
Manchester United fans ripped into Patrick Dorgu for his role in their draw with Wolves last time out, but Amorim opted to start him in a more advanced position than his usual wing-back berth at Elland Road.
The Dane instead operated in behind the central striker Benjamin Sesko, and he adapted well to the energy of the game right from the start.
The 21-year-old was shown a yellow card for a challenge on Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the 34th minute, and while it was undoubtedly late, it certainly wasn’t malicious.
Dorgu didn’t catch Calvert-Lewin with raised studs, and his tackle was one which effectively slid under him rather than planting force into the Leeds star’s leg or foot.
Tackles are always likely to fly in during a heated game like this one, and when you throw in the fact that it was also Dorgu’s first foul of the afternoon, it was definitely harsh for Gillet to brandish a card.
Casemiro escapes caution for simulation
Casemiro could leave Manchester United in January, despite his resurgence to become a key part of Amorim’s plans at Old Trafford.
It was another assured display from the veteran in the middle of the park on Sunday, but he was fortunate to escape punishment from the referee for a moment that occurred midway through the second half.
Casemiro skipped past a Leeds challenge just inside the Manchester United half, and then went to ground after a second opponent came in with a tackle.
Gillett swiftly decided that the challenge was a fair one, but he also opted to wave Casemiro up despite the fact that there appeared to be very little contact on the Brazilian.
The referee decided to give the United man the benefit of the doubt on this occasion, but another official could easily have shown him a caution for simulation.
Matheus Cunha should have received yellow card for handball
Cunha was a livewire for Manchester United throughout the 90 minutes, but he was lucky to escape punishment for a deliberate handball in the first half.
The Brazilian controlled the ball with his upper arm after a looping pass near the halfway line, but Gillett adjusted him to have used his chest to bring the ball under his spell.
Had the Australian official viewed the incident slightly differently, it could have seen Cunha in the book and walking a tightrope for the remainder of the game.
It was a relatively innocuous moment of the game, but it was still an offence that the striker got away with.