Bournemouth vs Man United: Former PL referee gives his opinion on refereeing decisions

Manchester United’s 2-2 draw at Bournemouth on Friday night has ignited a fresh debate over Premier League officiating after two contentious penalty incidents ended with only one whistle and a red card. Former top-flight referee Dermot Gallagher has now weighed in, telling Sky Sports’ Ref Watch that Stuart Attwell and the VAR team should have treated both situations identically.

The match at the Vitality Stadium remained goalless until the second half, when four goals and a flurry of flashpoints unfolded. Referee Attwell pointed to the spot for each side: first for United after a foul on Matheus Cunha, and later for Bournemouth when Harry Maguire was adjudged to have impeded Evanilson, a decision that also brought the United captain a straight red for denying an obvious scoring opportunity.

Yet the pivotal moment, Gallagher insists, came seconds before Bournemouth’s opening equaliser. Amad Diallo went down in the home penalty area under what appeared to be a comparable shove, only for Attwell to wave play on. While VAR reviewed the incident, play continued, and the Cherries scored almost immediately.

“I think they are both penalties,” Gallagher told viewers. “They are so similar. On balance, give both.” He noted Attwell had “the most perfect position” and rejected the appeal instantly, leaving VAR to decide whether the error met the “clear and obvious” threshold. Officials ultimately stayed with the on-field call, believing there was “not enough” contact to intervene.

The inconsistency became glaring when Maguire’s later challenge, described by Gallagher as “slightly different” but still a push, was punished with both a penalty and a dismissal. “Whichever way the referee jumps, you expect him to jump the same way twice,” Gallagher added, acknowledging Michael Carrick’s right to feel aggrieved.

United, who remain a point ahead of Liverpool and Chelsea after both rivals lost over the weekend, are preparing an official complaint to PGMOL. Maguire will now miss April’s home meeting with Leeds United through suspension, while Carrick’s squad must regroup for the final push toward Champions League qualification.

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