Manchester United were dealt a hammer blow as they suffered a late, late defeat at the hands of a Brighton & Hove Albion penalty awarded deep into injury time.
Luke Shaw was penalised for handball following a cross into the box, and Alexis Mac Allister dispatched the resulting penalty to send the Amex Stadium into raptures.
“Hands up, silly mistake that cost us a point at the end”
Luke Shaw with an honest reflection on his handball that gave Brighton a late penalty 👇 pic.twitter.com/DIdKfZok9e
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 4, 2023
However, United fans have pointed out that the free-kick given to Brighton in the build-up leading to the penalty was soft at best, as Shaw was punished as Julio Enciso fell to the ground in a duel.
BothErik ten HagandShawhave claimed that the wrong decision was made, and perhaps United may have held on for a point if the free-kick, which led to the corner before the penalty, was not given.
Not sure what Luke Shaw is supposed to do here. No hesitation from the ref. Lead to the passage of play that lead to the goal. pic.twitter.com/jkDoo5C5pC
— Lewis Doyle (@lewisjdoyle) May 4, 2023
The defeat means that United may be looking over their shoulders at Liverpool and Brighton, with a top-four spot not yet secure.
It was the latest defeat United have ever suffered in Premier League history, and this decision may be another kick in the teeth for the Red Devils.
The fans are fuming, and the best of their reaction can be seen below. Was it the correct call?
The infuriating thing about this the whole passage of play comes from an absolute nonsense freekick given against Shaw
— Si Lloyd (@SmnLlyd5) May 4, 2023
Never a free-kick that led to the corner, how Marriner booked Shaw for it even more laughable.
But United not good enough in the second half. Hopefully a point won’t make much difference in the end.
Need to bounce back again and beat West Ham. Simply as that.
— Alex Turk (@AlexCTurk) May 4, 2023
Luke Shaw performance was excellent up until his lost head and gave away that penalty. No excuses for him imo he clearly lost his head and was still annoyed at the free kick the ref gave when which wasn’t a free kick btw annoying way to drop points!
— Devil In The Details (@DevildetailsMU) May 4, 2023
I’m not one to point at referee’s but Brighton’s corner comes off Luke Shaw’s “foul” which was a blatant dive and Shaw gets a booking for it. Every single game bar non this season shocking decisions are being made.
— Paterson (@adampaters0n) May 4, 2023
All that stemmed from a free kick given against Shaw for standing still.
— Dylan Jack (@dylmjack) May 4, 2023
Other fans were less sympathetic towards the left-back…
Players exaggerate and earn free kicks all the time. It did not force Luke Shaw to play vollyball inside the box.
— …………. (@nbanerjee87) May 4, 2023
Lovely touch by the Brighton player before being professionally taken out by Shaw. Nice to see VAR restore some measure of justice
— Mark (@DaddyLJS) May 4, 2023
This is soft foul I will admit but by every account a foul nevertheless. Luke Shaw literally uses his hand to block Julio Enciso, something he didn’t need to do honestly… https://t.co/53zQ6fZHxi
— Muzi__Ndlovu (@MuziwethuNdlovu) May 4, 2023
Luke Shaw got the arm out and the Brighton player took it, those kinda fouls happen on both sides
— tobyleeswagger (@tobyleeswagger) May 4, 2023
Made no attempt to play the ball there, clearly plants his feet and it’s an attempt to block the player moving forward. Foul every day.
— JMaccarthy #CTID (@1jmaccarthy) May 4, 2023