Manchester United’s title fight was dealt a heavy blow last night, thanks to a late equalizing goal from Crystal Palace.
The home team equalized through a stunning Michael Olise free kick as the game marked injury time.
However, despite the quality of the shot, United appear to have reason to be aggrieved by a dead ball issue.
Luke Shaw’s foul to stop Palace’s late attack was committed at least five yards further from goal than where the shot was finally taken.
I found it strange at the time that United did not protest the placement of Olise’s free kick. It was taken at least five yards beyond where Shaw’s foul occurred #mufc pic.twitter.com/3iMB028HFS
— Liam Corless (@liamcorless) January 19, 2023
The free kick was taken from 25 yards out and right at the cusp of where Olise would have considered shooting.
Had the free kick been taken from the spot where the foul occurred, it is highly likely that Olise would have attempted a cross, a scenario United had handled comfortably all night.
United players did not realize the sneak advantage, and no one challenged the shooting position at the time.
The final ended United’s winning run and, more importantly, cost them two vital points, ahead of their trip to table-top Arsenal on Sunday.
United were also frustrated by the decision to reject a penalty appeal from Scott McTominay with just under twenty minutes remaining, which would have presented them with a great opportunity to end the game.
Erik ten Hag refused to blame the referee for the missed points, citing the team’s inability to find the second goal as the reason for the tie.
“That is what it is and we have to take the lesson. [We needed to] invest more for the second objective.” said the boss.
Despite the setback, United remain firmly planted in the top four, for whom they now look like sure favourites, thanks to their impressive recent run.
