So, refs favoring United, eh?

Manchester United, arguably the most successful club in the world, has faced accusations that referees are favouring them. Does a club gain so much success and support just because of a few incorrect decisions on the pitch?

The club currently holds the record for most top-division titles (19), the most FA Cups (11), and the most FA Cup final appearances (18). Manchester United also holds the record for the most Premier League titles (12), and was the first English team to win the European Cup in 1968.

All this success earned just through a few referee decisions gone awry!? I mean, there’s a limit to the criticism (or shall we say jealousy?) from the other clubs.

Football is a sport in which, to say the least, mistakes happen. And referees too are human beings! You can’t expect impeccable decisions time and time again.

Unfortunately, diving has become an integral part of the sport. Diving and earning free-kicks and penalties have become extremely common. I admit that Antonio Valencia did dive to earn the match-winning penalty at Anfield on Sunday, but referees have clamped down on ‘divers’ by showing yellow cards for blatant dives. They can’t get every decision right, can they?

And referring to the incident involving Jonjo Shelvey at Anfield on Sunday, referees have also clamped down on ‘two-footed-studs-up challenges’. Maybe Shelvey could have got away with a booking, but look at it from the referee’s point of view.

I’m sorry, but you can’t go in two-footed anymore and get away with it.

Shelvey’s challenge that got him sent off at Anfield against United on Sunday.

As a die-hard United fan, to anybody claiming United’s success is based on favouring referees, I’d like to say think again.

Glory glory Man United!