'Man City fans will not like this' - Ex-PGMOL chief makes extraordinary Man United replay claim

Manchester United could sure an extraordinary replay with Manchester City after Sunday's controversial clash led to a public apology from refs chiefs.

That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that an example from Belgium could help Man United's case in the wake of their 1-0 defeat to their bitter rivals.

Supporters were left in absolute disbelief when Erling Haaland's winner at Old Trafford was allowed to stand, despite the offside flag going up.

Replays showed that the Norwegian international was marginally onside, but it was Enzo Fernandez's attempt to head the ball home that caused the controversy.

The former Chelsea man was in an offside position when the cross came in, but despite not touching the ball, he made a clear attempt to make contact.

Genk's clash with Anderlecht in 2024 created history when being replayed after a refereeing error caused the former to miss out on a penalty retake.

'Do Man United have a right to demand a replay?'

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Hackett believes this example could trigger Man United to seek further action after their defeat on Sunday, 13 September.

"It didn't need Michael Oliver to be involved in this process. He's been let down very badly by the VAR and the AVAR," he said.

"Remember, there's two at Stockley Park. The on-field referee match officials got it right. He got the flag raised. Now, did he raise it incorrectly for Haaland, who was onside, or the man in the middle?

"It's the man in the middle that was offside in law. And then my next question is this...

"There was a VAR error, I understand, in Belgium. You might research it. And that error led to the game being replayed.

"Now, the Man City fans will not like what I'm going to say here. Do Manchester United have a right to demand that the game is replayed?"

Has a Premier League game ever been replayed?

The short answer, no. A Premier League game has never been replayed, not least due to a refereeing error, but it isn't impossible, as proven in Belgium.

Games have been postponed and rearranged, especially during Covid, but Man United demanding a replay would set a totally new precedent.

It is extremely difficult to see the footballing authorities agreeing to an entire replay, especially given the number of VAR errors over the years.

Doing this would set a dangerous precedent in England's top-four divisions, one that would open a lot of controversial doors.