Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has said that referee Anthony Taylor had a huge influence on the goalless Premier League draw against Southampton on Sunday.
The Red Devils were much fancied to beat the Saints at Old Trafford but they were handed an early disadvantage after Casemiro was handed his second red card of the season.
Taylor initially brandished a yellow card for the incident but gave the marching orders to the Brazilian after he was asked to review the footage by the Video Assistant Referee.
Meanwhile, United were also denied a clear-cut penalty before the interval. Armel Bella-Kotchap clearly protected the ball in the box with his hand but he was not penalised.
Speaking after the game, Ten Hag said that the club will handle Casemiro’s unfair sending off but added that the result was influenced by the referee with a couple of dubious decisions.
He told Manutd.com: “That is not the issue. We will deal with that. The issue is that this game was influenced by the referee.”
“No, I said what I said. That is the refereeing is influencing the game and we talk about two issues.”
United lose valuable points in top-four race
United remain in a strong position to qualify for next season’s Champions League but losing two points at home to Southampton could prove costly in the long run.
In our opinion, the Red Devils could have easily been on the winning side. Casemiro clearly got the ball before the man and a yellow card would have been a fair decision.
Just 24 hours earlier, we saw Leicester City’s Ricardo Pereira avoid a booking for a similar challenge against Chelsea which leads to a debate over VAR’s inconsistency.
Meanwhile, United should have at least one penalty in the game. Bella-Kotchap clearly handled the ball and right towards the end, the Saints should have been punished again.
Marcus Rashford initially looked to have tripped himself to the ground but looking at the slow-motion replays, goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu’s knee made contact with his left foot.
Despite the stalemate, United remain six points clear of fifth-placed Newcastle United, who have a game in hand. The Red Devils face the Magpies on the road after the international break.
