BREAKING: VAR finally releases official statement on Southampton potential penalty handball situation – PGMOL is really against us this season
BREAKING: VAR finally releases official statement on Southampton potential penalty handball situation – PGMOL is really against us this season
Manchester United are looking for their first Premier League win over 2025, with Southampton trying to cause an upset at Old Trafford.
The Reds have had an encouraging start to the new year after drawing away at Liverpool before beating Arsenal on penalties to progress in the FA Cup.
Tonight, Manchester United face relegation contenders Southampton, who are sat at the bottom of the league, after winning just one game this season.
Ruben Amorim made three changes for the game, with Diogo Dalot suspended after picking up two yellow cards against Arsenal. Amad Diallo returned to the line-up to play in the right wing-back role.
The other two changes saw Andre Onana and Leny Yoro start against the Saints.
Southampton have been the better side thus far, creating the biggest chances, but United were denied a big call in the opening 45 minutes.
Manchester United denied penalty for handball
The officials had a big decision to make in the first half after United had a penalty claim denied.
United thought they were going to be awarded a penalty after the ball struck Kyle Walker-Peters’ arm inside the box.
VAR intervened and chose to ignore it because Walker-Peters had been nudged by Amad before he handled the ball.
The Premier League took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to explain the decision as they deemed it an accidental handball as a consequence of contact made by Amad.
It was the right decision as frustrating as it might be for Amorim and his players.
Manchester United behind at half-time
Southampton scored their first corner of the season, thanks to an own goal by Manuel Ugarte, to take the lead before half-time.
It was another example of poor defending from set pieces with United target Tyler Dibling winning the first header which deflected off Ugarte and into the net.
Onana is unlucky not to have been able to keep a clean sheet after making a string of stunning saves in the first-half.
The only goal to separate the sides was an own goal but there has been very little at the other end for Aaron Ramsdale to deal with…
United have it all to do in the second half to force a comeback.
