The match at Vitality Stadium on the evening of 20/3 was marred by controversy. Manchester United took the lead in the 61st minute through a Bruno Fernandes penalty, awarded after Matheus Cunha was fouled in the box. Moments later, the visitors felt they were denied another clear penalty.

During this incident, defender Adrien Truffert made contact with Amad Diallo's hand, causing him to fall inside the penalty area. Despite fervent protests from Manchester United players, referee Stuart Attwell dismissed their appeals, and VAR Craig Pawson concluded that Truffert's contact was not sufficient for a penalty. Immediately following this, Bournemouth launched a counter-attack and equalized 1-1 through Ryan Christie.

This decision became a major point of contention. Gallagher noted that the incident leading to Manchester United's awarded penalty and the play involving Amad shared many similarities, yet were officiated inconsistently. "Looking at the overall picture, both are penalties. Once you've given one, the referee must be consistent with the other situation," he stated on Sky Sports' Ref Watch program.

Former referee Dermot Gallagher discusses the incident where Maguire fouled Evanilson during Manchester United's 2-2 draw against Bournemouth in round 31 of the Premier League at Vitality Stadium, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, England, on the evening of 20/3. *Photo: Sky Sports*

Gallagher, who refereed in the Premier League for 15 years (1992-2007), typically supports his younger colleagues on the program. However, on this occasion, he openly disagreed with Attwell, noting that the 43-year-old referee had a clear view but made an immediate, incorrect decision.

Former striker Jay Bothroyd echoed Gallagher's sentiments, asserting that the Bournemouth defender was out of position and made sufficient contact to unbalance Amad. "I don't understand why the referee didn't award a penalty. If Maguire's incident had occurred earlier, perhaps the second decision would have been different," Bothroyd remarked.

Subsequent events compounded Manchester United's frustration. The visitors regained the lead through an own goal by James Hill, but in the 78th minute, Harry Maguire fouled Evanilson in the box, leading to a red card and a conceded penalty. Junior Kroupi converted the spot-kick, securing a 2-2 draw.

Post-match, interim coach Michael Carrick voiced his perplexity, stating that at least one of two decisions was erroneous. He stressed that had Manchester United been awarded the second penalty, they could have established a 2-0 lead instead of conceding an immediate equalizer.

The incidents have incensed Manchester United's leadership. The club is now preparing to submit a formal complaint to the Premier League referees' committee, which is led by Howard Webb. Football Director Jason Wilcox is expected to personally seek explanations for the series of contentious decisions, specifically citing the Amad incident and the extended period of stoppage time.

Hoang An (via MEN)