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Manchester United’s Darren Fletcher could reportedly be hit with an FA charge after his passionate protestations at the match officials in the Old Trafford tunnel on Saturday.
It’s understood that Fletcher was fuming following the referee’s controversial Matthijs de Ligt decision, in the lead-up to Brentford’s opening goal.
Ethan Pinnock put his side ahead moments before the break as he rose highest to head in from a corner.
The goal came about while United were reduced to 10 men, with summer signing De Ligt off the pitch. This is because the referee, Samuel Barrott, instructed the Netherlands international to go and receive treatment for an earlier head wound that would not stop bleeding.
Before that, De Ligt had been off twice already and it’s during the third time that Brentford fully capitalised and punished United.
The United players and staff were angry and made no secret of their displeasure with Barrott’s decision. Indeed, Erik ten Hag and his assistant Ruud van Nistelrooy were both booked for their angry protests.
Ultimately, it didn’t matter too much as the Red Devils ended up winning 2-1 courtesy of second-half goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund.
Ten Hag later revealed in his post-match comments that United were fuelled by the anger of the injustice against them. The Dutchman also said that it was dry blood and De Ligt shouldn’t have been forced to leave the pitch.
The Mirror reports that Fletcher could face an FA Charge after “laying into match officials” during the interval.
The former United midfielder was spotted raging at fourth official Gavin Ward as the official walked into the tunnel.
Fletcher is now “facing an anxious wait” to see if his interaction with Ward is included in Barrott’s match report. If this happens, the United could could be charged by the FA.
Meanwhile, United return to Europa League action on Thursday when they take on Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce side.
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2024-10-21 20:00:51
