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The reason Matthijs de Ligt was booked for handball during Manchester United’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool at Anfield has been confirmed by the Premier League.
The Dutchman was hit in the arm by Alexis Mac Allister’s header, although referee Michael Oliver decided not to award a penalty despite loud appeals Liverpool‘s players and a raucous home crowd.
Oliver was advised to consult the pitchside monitor to review his decision, and after watching the replay, decided to award the penalty – one that Mohamed Salah would have fired past Andre Onana despite the Cameroonian assisting his effort.
Confirming the reason for recommending VAR, the post on Premier LeagueThe user’s X feed reads: “#LIVMUN – VAR OVERREVERSING 67′. VAR recommended an on-field review for possible handball by De Ligt, deeming his arm raised in an unnatural position. After review, the referee overturned his initial no-penalty decision. “
“I think his hand is up. I think he might be in trouble, is my first reaction,” Sky Sports said commentator Gary Neville during the match. “I saw in real time when your hand is up, we’ll see.
“Once your hand is that high up in the box, you’re asking for big trouble. Why is his hand there? I don’t know why his hand is there at all.”
A stain on De Ligt’s notebook will not overshadow what was encouraging performance from United Ruben Amorim. The Red Devils were far more organized and confident in possession, with midfielders Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo competing adeptly against Liverpool’s midfield trio of Alexis Mac Allister, Curtis Jones and Ryan Gravenberch.
Captain Bruno Fernandes also shone in one of his best games of the season, suggesting United have brighter days after a turbulent start to Amorim’s reign. United leapfrogged West Ham into 13th place with an unexpected point, still some way off European qualification in both points and places.
