Howard Webb admits major refereeing blunder in Man Utd's recet defeat

Howard Webb has admitted that a major refereeing error went against Manchester United’s 3–1 defeat to Brentford.

The acceptance by the boss of the refereeing regulator PGMOL, has reignited debate around VAR and officiating standards in the Premier League.

The flashpoint came midway through the second half when Brentford captain Nathan Collins appeared to pull down Bryan Mbeumo as the United forward burst through on goals.

Referee Simon Hooper waved play on, and after a brief VAR review, the decision stood — no red card was issued, with officials judging that Mbeumo did not have full control of the ball.

Moments later, Brentford scored their third goal, sealing the win and compounding United’s frustration.

According to The Sun, Webb privately acknowledged after the match that the officials had made the wrong call.

In post-match discussions with United executives Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox, Webb is said to have admitted that Collins’s challenge should have resulted in a red card for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity.

The admission, while welcomed by United for its transparency, has done little to ease the sense of injustice among supporters.

Many fans believe the decision dramatically altered the flow of the game, as a sending-off could have given United a route back when the score was still 2–1.

PGMOL has not issued a public statement on the incident, but sources close to the organization confirmed Webb’s internal acknowledgment.

The decision adds to a growing list of controversial moments involving VAR and United this season — including disputed penalties and missed fouls — that have fueled criticism of inconsistency in officiating.

For manager Rúben Amorim, the controversy adds another layer of pressure during an already turbulent start to his tenure. He declined to directly criticize the officials but emphasized the need for fairness and consistency across the league.

United will now turn their attention to their next Premier League fixture, but Webb’s admission ensures that officiating standards — and VAR’s role in key decisions — will remain firmly under the spotlight.