Manchester United lost 1-0 to Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on Saturday after a brilliant first-half strike from Joachim Andersen.
The Red Devils failed to find the back of the net despite their best efforts to get an equaliser.
Marcus Rashford thought he had won a penalty for his side after his cross hit Palace defender Joel Ward on the arm in the 59th minute.
The switch of play towards Rashford indeed hit Ward on the hand, but his back was to the play.
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher believes the officials made the right decision not to award a penalty, insisting it would have been a harsh decision.
“I never ever thought this would be given,” Gallagher said on Sky Sports’ Ref Watch.
“It strikes him no doubt about that, but I think his hands are tucked in.
“It is just never going to be a penalty for me.”
The officials got the call right and Man United cannot have any complaints after losing as they were below par in the final third.
Palace also had a penalty appeal waved down after Harry Maguire’s arm blocked the ball in the box, and Gallagher claims the officials also made the right call not to penalise the hosts.
No pitchside review was done by the referee for both calls as neither was brought to his attention by the VAR, but his decision would likely not have been overturned had he consulted the monitor.
The weekend was full of controversies caused by the video assistant refereeing system, but the game between Man United and the Eagles had no major officiating concerns.
The Red Devils deservedly lost and will look to bounce back when they return to Premier League action on Saturday to take on Brentford.
