'This is a mess' - Ex-PGMOL chief hits out after analysing Man United vs Ipswich controversy

Manchester United’s second goal against Ipswich Town on Sunday in their 5-2 victory showcased how "messy" the handball law is in the Premier League.

That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that there is a “lack of clarity” in the law due to the subjectivity of handball.

After going behind at Old Trafford, the Red Devils retook the lead against Ipswich Town in controversial fashion early into the second half.

Harry Maguire’s effort from range deflected off Ipswich’s Jacob Greaves and into the net.

The Man United defender appeared to handle the ball in the build-up. However, because it deflected off the Ipswich defender, the goal was allowed to stand.

Reflecting on this incident, Hackett was quick to criticise the handball law for how much it complicates the rules.

Keith Hackett: Handball rule is now overcomplicated

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Hackett explained why he believed the handball rule is now a mess.

He said: “The handball law is a bit of a mess. There's a lack of clarity, in my opinion, because we can put subjectivity onto various things. 

“In the game of football, you can no longer score a goal if it strikes the underarm accidentally or deliberately.

"So on this occasion, we then go back, and it was a deflection, and therefore the goal stood. 

“What the referee has to decide is the action of Maguire, and I think a lot of people in football are still working on old money, old law, where if the ball, when it strikes the hand and arm, is a foul. 

“What the referee has to decide is whether the action of Maguire is deliberate. Was the movement of his hands towards the ball. There's the subjectivity. That's where the referee makes his call, and it's decided that the action is not deliberate. That Maguire is naturally putting his hands up. 

“There's no question the ball strikes the hand. So was it deliberate? And that is the element of doubt that passes to the referee to make his call, and obviously VAR come in. 

“Now, the position of his hands and arms was within his body shape, so he's again not come out wide. He didn't make his body shape bigger. So what they're actually saying is the conclusion is it's an accidental handball and not deliberate. 

“So the handball was not penalised for that instant. The referee and VAR checking it didn't see it as deliberate. 

“Interestingly, had the ball gone directly into goal off Maguire, hand or arm, he would have been disallowed, and that that's the that's the complexity of the handball law and the changes that have been made over a number of years.

“What they've done is, in my opinion, they've complicated it, because in our world, my world, my era, we would just be looking for the word deliberate. Was the action of Maguire deliberate? And you can argue, couldn't you?

“I get it's subjective. I mean, if I'm a Man United fan, I'm saying it's not deliberate. If I'm the opposition, I'm saying he's done it deliberately.”

What were the stats in Man United vs Ipswich?

Manchester United undoubtedly deserved to beat Ipswich on Sunday.

When examining the stats, the Red Devils dominated the newly promoted side.

Overall, Man United had 60 per cent possession, 33 shots, 11 of which were on target, a 4.77 xG, nine big chances and eight corners.

In comparison, Ipswich had 40 per cent possession, nine shots, five of which were on target, a 2.06 xG, four big chances and four corners.

However, it remains to be seen if Man United can keep up this level of performance for the rest of the season.