twenty
Manchester United headed into half-time one goal down thanks to an eighteenth-minute strike from Robert Lewandowski.
The Polish striker converted a penalty to give the Blaugrana the lead at Old Trafford.
David de Gea reached into the ball with a hand, but the shot was too powerful to avoid.
It was the manner in which the penalty was awarded that would have angered and puzzled United fans.
Bruno Fernandes, who squandered an earlier golden opportunity to give the Red Devils the lead, got his hands on Alejandro Balde, who started ahead of Jordi Alba.
The Barcelona star was gently handled at best, before crumpling to the ground in agony at the slightest contact.
The result was that the referee, Clement Turpin, awarded the penalty to Barcelona.
Barcelona received a penalty for this tug by Bruno Fernandes on Alejandro Balde’s arm.
Right call or tough decision❓
Let us know what you think ????????#BBCFootball #UEL #MUNBAR pic.twitter.com/vf4ffNEx6s
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) February 23, 2023
Do you agree with this penalty for Bruno Fernandes? ???? pic.twitter.com/CqZjNWhoQj
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) February 23, 2023
The decision drew the ire of Erik ten Hag and the Dutchman did not hide his disappointment and anger at the questionable decision.
Turpin had to go over and warn the United manager who was up in arms from the touchline.
Another of Turpin’s dubious decisions came minutes after Lewandowski found the back of the net.
A surging Luke Shaw was moving forward with the ball before Ronaldo Araujo brought him down on the edge of the Barcelona box.
The referee saw no reason to stop play and simply waved for play to continue.
The controversial decision comes after the initial one in the Camp Nou when Jules Kounde committed a foul on Marcus Rashford. Despite apparently being denied a scoring opportunity, nothing was given to the Red Devils.
United fans are not familiar with Turpin. In the three United games the Frenchman has refereed, the Reds have only won once. The most prominent United game that Turpin refereed was the Europa League final lost to Villareal in 2021.
