Live from sky sports, Till today, it’s baffling why Rasmus Hojlund was shown a yellow card in this situation—no contact, no touch, nothing! Yet somehow, the referee deemed it worthy of a booking. Even more shocking, Kyle Walker also received just a yellow for what was clearly an unprofessional and reckless display. In my honest opinion, Walker deserved a straight red card and an early walk to the tunnel. Moments like this question the consistency of officiating. Mike dean insist referee made big error vs Manchester united.
Controversy overshadowed Manchester United’s recent match as inconsistencies in refereeing decisions once again became a major talking point. The incidents involving Rasmus Hojlund and Kyle Walker have ignited intense debates, with former referee Mike Dean describing the officiating as a “big error” during his Sky Sports analysis.
The match saw a puzzling moment early on when Manchester United’s Rasmus Hojlund was inexplicably shown a yellow card. Replays revealed no contact or foul, and there was little to suggest that Hojlund’s actions warranted any punishment. Players, coaches, and fans were visibly stunned by the referee’s decision, which appeared to lack any credible justification.
In contrast, Manchester City defender Kyle Walker found himself embroiled in a far more serious incident later in the match. Walker delivered a challenge that many deemed reckless and dangerous—arguably deserving a straight red card. Yet, to the shock of many, the referee opted to show only a yellow. The stark inconsistency between the two decisions left spectators questioning the standards of officiating in such a high-profile fixture.
Mike Dean was particularly vocal about the situation, criticizing the referee’s decisions. “The yellow card for Hojlund makes no sense. There was no foul, no contact—nothing that should have led to a booking,” Dean explained. “In contrast, Walker’s tackle was clearly reckless and dangerous. If that’s not a red card, then what is? It’s completely inconsistent officiating, and that’s a big problem.”
Dean also highlighted how decisions like these damage the credibility of referees and the game itself. “The rules are clear, and VAR exists to address exactly these kinds of mistakes. It’s unacceptable for incidents like this to go unchecked, especially when they can significantly influence the outcome of a match.”
The fallout from the decisions was swift and fierce, particularly on social media, where fans vented their anger over the perceived unfairness. Manchester United supporters were especially critical, arguing that such decisions could have a lasting impact on their season. Many also pointed fingers at VAR, questioning its effectiveness given its absence in correcting what seemed like obvious errors.
The controversy has only intensified scrutiny on refereeing standards in the Premier League, with growing calls for more consistency and accountability. The pressure on officials to deliver fair and accurate decisions is unlikely to ease, especially as debates around VAR and its role continue.
While the match itself may have concluded, the lingering frustration and debates sparked by these refereeing decisions will likely carry over into upcoming fixtures. Fans and analysts alike remain united in their demand for better officiating, with the hope that such high-profile errors become less frequent in the future.