Man United have made 'unwise' social media move' after Arsenal bust-up - Ex-Fifa ref

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Man United made an “unwise” social media post following their FA Cup victory over Arsenal, Keith Hackett has said.

The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official told Football Insider that it is however, unlikely the FA will be able to take action against them for that activity.

Ruben Amorim’s side eventually secured their place in the fourth round of the competition with a 5-3 penalty shootout win over the Gunners, following a 1-1 draw after extra time on Sunday (12 January).

That came despite Man United being left frustrated by multiple decisions made by referee Andy Madley in that game, that seemingly led to the club making a point on social media.

Keith Hackett reacts as Man United aim veiled referee dig online

Ten minutes after they had taken the lead, the Red Devils were reduced to ten men when Diogo Dalot was sent off for a reckless two-footed challenge.

Arsenal equalised moments later, and were then given the chance to go in front from the penalty spot after Harry Maguire was judged to have fouled Kai Havertz, a decision which left Man United fuming.

Goalkeeper Altay Bayindir though saved the resulting spot-kick from Martin Odegaard, and kept out another from Havertz in the shootout, to keep the FA Cup holders in the shootout.

Posting on social media after the game had finally been won, the official Man United account simply wrote “Justice.”

Given the decisions that had gone against them, that could be seen as a dig at referee Madley, although Hackett believes they could get away with that comment, amid the wider issue of reliance on VAR, which is not in use at this stage of the FA Cup.

When asked about the post, the former referee told Football Insider:

“I think that it’s always unwise to make that type of comment, if you can actually aim it towards the game itself.

“I think that the FA might look at it but I think it will be difficult for them to take it forward because I think whoever’s written has been very clever.

“The reality is that when you look at the penalty kick that was awarded against them, that for me was an incorrect decision.

“I think I’m quite clear, that Havertz manufactured that incident, and therefore the referee bought it. I think there’s a bigger story here.

“I don’t think this referee had a good game. It’s well below the standard he normally delivers and I just think that underlying all this is there’s become an over-reliance on VAR to pull them out of the mire on some of these decisions.

“Concentration is so important, this was not a penalty kick, it was a poor decision. When you look at the second yellow card that was issued, that is a very clear reckless challenge which the player was stupid to make on the basis that he’s on a yellow card.

“When you’re on a yellow card you really don’t make that challenge so he was right to be dismissed, but the big one was the penalty kick which I thought was completely wrong.”

Following that win, Man United are set to host Leicester City – managed by their former striker and interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy – in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Before that they are back in action with the visit of bottom side Southampton to Old Trafford in the Premier League on Thursday night (16 January).

In other news, Joshua Zirkzee has sent a message to Man United fans after scoring the winning penalty against Arsenal.

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