Manchester United legends Rio Ferdinand and Paul Scholes believe Scott McTominay should've been penalised for a handball in the penalty area during their win over Southampton.
Bruno Fernandes ' second-half volley was enough to hand United their second win in a week, following on from their inspired performance against Liverpool. Erik ten Hag's side came close to opening the scoring in the first half but three chances were thwarted by last-ditch defending from the Saints to keep the score level.
After the Reds skipper netted his first goal of the season, the hosts came out looking to find the equaliser. They had a penalty shout after a coming-together between Che Adams and McTominay saw the ball handled in the United box.
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Referee Andy Madley waved play on as VAR Peter Bankes decided that there was no wrongdoing from the Scotland midfielder. However, both Ferdinand and Scholes felt McTominay was lucky not to be penalised.
Speaking on BT Sport, Ferdinand said: "I thought they got fortunate in the end and the decision went for Man United. I don’t think they’ll be too aggrieved if it was given, going either way I don’t think there would be too many complaints from Man United.
"When you see it, it’s two or three times he’s actually handled the ball there. I think they’re lucky.
"He’s done it three times, you talk about natural position but when your hands are shoulder height I think you know what you’re doing. He’s done it, once, twice, caught it on the right."
The proximity of the ball to the United midfielder's arm was the reason why the penalty was not being given, according to ex-referee Peter Walton. He said: "You can’t hide behind the fact ball did strike the hand on more than one occasion.
"But the law is the close proximity McTominay to the ball itself, he had no chance to avoid contact. It wasn’t deliberate because the ball comes towards the arm not the arm to the ball then when we talk about natural position maybe that’s the natural position of a player setting himself there.
"I can understand why Peter Bankes didn’t ask Andy Madley to have another look but the close proximity is the reason why that wasn’t given. I’ve mentioned the pinball machine, that’s what happens there.
"McTominay knew nothing about the ball striking his arm, he clearly didn’t have that deliberate nature. Yeah Southampton can feel hard done by but I understand why within law, it wasn’t given."
Meanwhile, Southampton boss Ralph Hassenhuttl was unhappy with the decision not to award the handball. Speaking to the BBC, he said: " It was not one handball – it was three times. When this isn’t handball, what should I say?”
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