Firstly it was a beautiful game but how was this not a penalty it was clear it was obvious the Referee just wanted a fair game but at the same time robbing Manchester United.” How was that not a penalty on Casemiro! PGMOL, you hate Manchester United but don’t make it this obvious

Referee Controversy Dominates Manchester Derby as United’s Penalty Shout Ignored

In a tense and hard-fought Manchester derby at Old Trafford, Manchester United and Manchester City played to a 0-0 stalemate. Yet, the focus quickly shifted from the pitch to the officials, following a highly disputed moment involving Casemiro and City’s Mateo Kovacic that has left United fans fuming.

Turning Point in the 80th Minute

With the match entering its final phase and both sides seeking a breakthrough, Manchester United earned a corner. As the ball was delivered into the box, Casemiro tangled with Kovacic and went down, seemingly impeded. United players instantly called for a penalty, backed by an uproarious crowd. However, referee Anthony Taylor ignored the appeals. VAR reviewed the scene but backed Taylor’s on-field call, much to the frustration of the home side.

Voices of Frustration

The decision sparked immediate backlash. Team captain Bruno Fernandes voiced his disbelief:

> “It’s difficult to accept. We’ve seen softer incidents result in penalties. That one was clear.”

United boss Ruben Amorim echoed the disappointment:

> “Officiating has become a guessing game. No one knows what’s allowed anymore. It’s simply inconsistent.”

Supporters took their outrage to social media, sharing replays and calling the decision “a robbery in plain sight.” One fan remarked:

> “It was a brilliant match overall, but the penalty was blatant. The officials tried to keep things balanced, but in doing so, they denied us a rightful decision.”

History Repeats Itself

This isn’t Manchester United’s first brush with contentious officiating:

In March 2023, Casemiro was shown a red card in a match against Southampton for a tackle that many viewed as undeserved. Then-manager Erik ten Hag called out the lack of fairness.

In August 2023, Wolves manager Gary O’Neil received an official apology from PGMOL after his side was denied a clear penalty against United — once again raising questions over VAR’s reliability.

Bigger Implications

The draw leaves Manchester United walking a tightrope in their pursuit of Champions League football. As frustrations build, both fans and officials at the club are demanding answers and more transparency from the Premier League’s governing bodies.

As another Manchester derby ends not with goals, but with outrage, the spotlight shines once again on the state of refereeing in English football — a debate that only se

ems to intensify with each passing week.