Some post-match admin: The more I see of Nathan Collins’ blatant yank on Bryan Mbeumo that earned Manchester United a penalty they went on to miss, the more I think that the Brentford captain was extremely lucky to avoid a red card following the subsequent VAR inquiry. He made no attempt whatsoever to play the ball, he clearly fouled Mbeumo and in the process he clearly denied him a clear and wonderful goalscoring opportunity.
Anyhow, the Premier League Match Centre have piped up with an explanation that makes little or no sense. “The referee’s call of penalty was checked and confirmed by VAR – with Collins deemed to [have] pulled Mbeumo back,” ” they posted on X. “VAR also checked the referee’s call of yellow card to Collins – and deemed that Mbeumo wasn’t in control of the ball.”
Well of course he wasn’t in control of the ball, because he wasn’t able to get it under control on account of there being a big Irishman hanging out of the back of his shirt. We haven’t heard the last of this and the best team won but despite their dismal performance, Manchester United do have every right to feel aggrieved at both the incorrect decision and the extraordinary length of time the VAR officials took to get it wrong. Enjoy the rest of your weekend, wherever you may be.
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Brentford 3-1 Manchester United
Premier League match report: Igor Thiago scored two for the home side while Matthias Jensen added a late third, as Brentford deservedly put Manchester United to the sword in a match where Benjamin Sesko opened his account for the visitors, Bruno Fernandes missed a penalty and one that wasn’t without its controversial moments. David Hytner reports from the Gtech Community Stadium …
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