Manchester United to Formally Complain Over Controversial VAR Decisions in Draw with Bournemouth
Manchester United are set to lodge a formal complaint to the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMO) regarding decisions made during their 2-2 draw with Bournemouth on Friday, March 21, 2026. The club is particularly incensed by the failure to award a penalty for a challenge on Amad Diallo and the subsequent sending-off of Harry Maguire, which led to a penalty for Bournemouth.
Penalty Discrepancy Fuels Outrage
The controversy centers around two seemingly similar incidents. Manchester United manager Michael Carrick and captain Bruno Fernandes both questioned why a challenge by Adrian Truffert on Amad Diallo was not penalized, while a later challenge by Harry Maguire on Evanilson was deemed a foul, resulting in a red card for Maguire and a penalty for Bournemouth.
“We should have had another penalty,” Carrick stated to Sky Sports. “Obviously, if you get one, you must get the other. It’s pretty much identical for me, two-hand grab. Either way, [the ref] got one wrong, but to give one and not give the other, I can’t get my head around it. I consider it’s crazy. It’s a bit baffling, really.”
Fernandes echoed this sentiment, stating, “One is rewarded as a penalty, the other one not. I know it’s difficult for the referee to give two penalties to the same team in one game but I don’t understand why VAR doesn’t get involved in that situation.”
Match Recap and Implications
Manchester United initially took the lead through a Bruno Fernandes penalty. However, Bournemouth quickly equalized through Ryan Christie after the disputed non-penalty call against Truffert. Junior Kroupi converted the penalty awarded against Maguire, securing a 2-2 draw for Bournemouth.
Sky Sports News reports that this is not the first time United have voiced concerns to the PGMO regarding VAR decisions this season. The club believes the outcome of this match, and the dropped points, are particularly damaging in their pursuit of a Champions League qualification spot, currently competing with Aston Villa, Liverpool, and Chelsea.
PGMO Response Expected
Manchester United officials are reportedly “furious” and expect a full explanation from the head of referees, Howard Webb, regarding the inconsistencies in the officiating. The club feels the VAR’s intervention, or lack thereof, significantly impacted the result of the match.
Carrick Remains Optimistic
Despite the frustration with the officiating, Carrick expressed optimism about Manchester United’s overall position in the Premier League. “We’re in a excellent place. We’ve put ourselves in this position through some good work, good results and good performances,” he said. “We could have had more tonight but it’s not the finish of the world. We’ve made some improvements. There are things we can improve on, and we can get a lot better.”