Manchester United have been told by a Premier League panel that all five contentious refereeing decisions in their defeat to Bournemouth were correct. Michael Carrick's side were beaten 3-0 by the Cherries at Old Trafford last month, extending their winless run to eight matches in all competitions.
United had been beaten heavily away to Como in the Champions League just a few days earlier and failed to provide a response in front of their own supporters. However, some of those fans may have believed that things could have played out differently had a few controversial decisions not gone in Bournemouth's favour.
Panel backs referee and VAR
Referee Jarred Gillett waved away multiple penalty appeals from United, while VAR deemed that James Hill, who was in an offside position, did not interfere in play just moments before Rayan's cushioned volley from a free-kick.
The Premier League's Key Match Incidents Panel, made up of three former players or coaches, one representative from the Premier League and one from Pro Ref, has now shared its verdict, with all five members agreeing the correct on-field decision was made.
Other incidents reviewed
Four other incidents were also given the same score of 5:0, including potential penalties for fouls on Amad and Bryan Mbeumo. Evanilson was involved in the other two, with it found to be correct that his goal just after half-time was rightly disallowed for offside and that he should not have been penalised for a possible handball.
A final verdict on those decisions has put to bed any suggestions that things could have played out differently for United. Despite the damaging defeat, Carrick remained in charge for last weekend's trip to Chelsea.
Pressure mounts before international break
Another loss without scoring saw the pressure ramp up on his job, but he seemingly had two games to prove his worth, with United chiefs planning a review during the November international break.
The first of those was on Tuesday evening in the Champions League at home to Serie A side AS Roma. Donyell Malen and Matias Soule both scored early on, leaving United two goals down after just 18 minutes, but they fought back in the second half.
Bruno Fernandes scored from the penalty spot just before the hour-mark to start the turnaround. He saw his first effort saved but scored on the second attempt, with the United captain allowed to retake due to encroachment.
Matheus Cunha then scored twice in the final 10 minutes to turn things around in dramatic fashion. The 27-year-old was later sent off for two yellow cards in quick succession, with the first coming after he took his shirt off and jumped into the crowd.
The dismissal will see him suspended for United's trip to Sporting CP after the upcoming international break. He will, however, be available for the Premier League game against Aston Villa on Sunday.
An accumulation of yellow cards will see Unai Emery without Matty Cash for the trip to Old Trafford, which could see former United star Victor Lindelof moved to right-back.
