Sir Alex Ferguson claims big decisions don't go for Manchester United

[joeluke]

http://www.telegraph....-against-Arsenal.html

He's having a laugh right?

Was Vidic's blatant handball yesterday not a 'big decision' that went Uniteds way?

He seems to forget that United tend to get most of the 'big decisions' at Old Trafford

[Buenchico]

I've done quite a bit of refereeing in my time and I cannot see that Vidic INTENTIONALLY handled the ball. I certainly wouldn't have given a penalty.

However I agree that Sir Alex is in cloud cuckoo land if he really believes that 'big decisions don't go for Manchester United' ;-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opFbmi_We8U&feature=related

[Lie-in King]

Hi Chris - from every angle that I saw on the TV, it was a deliberate handball...

...Vidic is one of the biggest cheats in the league & gets away with more than most, wherever he plays - all IMHO, of course!

[joeluke]

Buenchico

If Vidic didn't intentionally handle why was his arm outstretched?

He deliberately (and very cleverly) flicked the ball away to deny Van Persie a goalscoring opportunity

With video technology he would have been red carded and a penalty would have been awarded


Although if video technology was actually in place players would think twice about cheating like this

[scotman]

(Sir) Alex Ferguson has been doing this since forever. He started at Aberdeen and has continued apace for the the rest of his managerial career. The thing I can't understand is why anyone responds any more.

[Mick-Talbot]

Well i have played a lot of football in my time, i can tell you 100% Vidic did it deliberately.

Refs who have never played football, are the worst kind, they do not have a clue.

[joeluke]

Ditto MT, totally agree, Vidic very cleverly disguised it

If an opposing defender had done the same His Royal Ferginess would have been livid

[Arksided]

'If an opposing defender had done the same His Royal Ferginess would have been livid'

So how many managers wouldn't be livid? fact is the ref didn't see it nor the ref's assistant and most of the supporters or anyone watching in 'real time'. If it was intentional only Vidic knows.

How was it a big decision if it wasn't seen?

[lesblue]

He said: "the big decisions don't go for Manchester United."
He meant: " we've a bl00dy big game coming up next weekend, and the ref had better not give anything slightly dubious against us, cos I'll be watching."

[boysinblue68]

Can I just remind those above who mentioned "deliberate" and "intentionally", that those phrases are no longer part of the laws of the game - they were removed several years ago. However, that doesn't necessarily make it any easier for the officials - and they don't always make it easy for themselves, do they? How much longer do we have to wait for technology to help. If used properly, it won't ruin the game, but the decisions currently being made (or not being made) by referees and assistants are having such an adverse impact on almost every game we see. It wasn't long ago when we'd talk about one crucial mistake per week or month, not every game! I agree it was handball by Vidic and a penalty, but it was also a foul by Clichy on Owen. The speed of the game these days makes things like Gomes' error and tight offsides almost impossible to get 100% right.

[Mick-Talbot]

But...Vidic was the first offender. He would have been sent off, man u down to 10 men.
Vidic would also have missed the Chelsea game.

[boysinblue68]

I agree Vidic' s"offence" came first, but I don't see the relevance? Yes, he probably would have been sent off (denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity) and a penalty awarded. However, that doesn't mean the penalty would have resulted in a goal, or with United reduced to 10 men that they would have gone on to lose the game (we'll never know). Yes, Vidic would then have missed the next domestic game, but that also doesn't mean that Man U would definitely lose (or win) that game. By the same token, Clichy should also have been sent-off (again denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity). Again, we will never know if the penalty would have been converted. Another game with too many poor decisions (and poor positional play by the referee). Still, I suppose (like Martin Atkinson) he'll be rewarded with a big game towards the end of the season (play-off final or the like).

[pa___ul3]

buenchico, I can't understand how you could not give a penalty for that if you saw it, that's not a natural position to have your arm when going for a header, it can only be intentional, it's stopping the ball from following it's natural path and averting a goalscoring opportunity, it's one of the most stonewall cases for a penalty I've seen since Kluivert's handball against England (Euro '96? can't remember) where he just left his hand up!
Anyway, we all know Fergie's going to claim Utd are hard done by about anything against them, that's always the way, and I'm he's fully aware he's lying. He's a win at all costs type of manager which has brought his success, it's no surprise to anyone!
In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if he'd already penned his post-match 'poor us' outburst for when they get stuffed by el blau-grana!

[daftgrandad]

Maybe the,as he puts it,big decisions dont go for him in away games.That,s because
the referees are allowed to do their job,without the gum-chewing pr!ck interfering.
However any game at Old Trafford is a lot different.
A minimum of 5mins is always allowed,especially if MU are drawing or losing.
As the song goes "there a none so blind as those who will not see"

[Arksided]

LesBlue, it is a big game this weekend, lets hope that SAF keeps his subtle smile and wink to himself and not pay-off any part of the FA.

[pa___ul3]

as a Liverpool fan, I'm really hoping Nando comes good this weekend!!