'One of the strangest incidents I've ever seen' - former referee gives verdict on Man United penalty claims

Former Premier League official Dermot Gallagher felt referee Antony Taylor was correct to ignore two penalty claims from Manchester United in their weekend draw with Southampton.

Erik ten Hag's side drew 0-0 with the Saints having been reduced to 10 men in the first half when Casemiro was sent off following a VAR review. United had two spot-kick appeals in quick succession at Old Trafford but Gallagher was adamant the officials got both calls right.

The first penalty shout came when Kyle Walker-Peters challenged Bruno Fernandes in the box before United sought a handball against Armel Bella-Kotchap. Gallagher felt the latter was a bizarre passage of play with the Saints defender almost flat on the floor in making an interception, but he didn't feel there was a handball.

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"One of the strangest incidents I’ve ever seen," said Gallagher, speaking on Sky Sports' Ref Watch. "You look at it, it strikes him in the chest first of all, if it strikes his hand I would say it comes off that but you can see quite clearly he realises it may strike his arm and he clearly takes it away to say ‘I have no intention whatsoever of handling that ball’ so I just can’t see a penalty given.”

On the Walker-Peters tackle, Gallagher said: "Corner. I think he wins the ball, I think he wins the ball twice! He wins it with his right leg and then his left leg. He wins the ball twice, the referee gives a corner and is absolutely correct.”

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