Manchester United supporters were left fuming at the decision not to send off Solly March during their defeat against Brighton.
The game was already lost when March put a hand to the throat of Alejandro Garnacho deep into stoppage time. Even so, there was frustration with referee Peter Bankes for failing to brandish a red card.
March and United defender Leny Yoro had squared up to each other moments earlier, each receiving a yellow card for their troubles. One of the officials was standing in close proximity as the Brighton sub then raised his hand to Garnacho’s throat, but the 30-year-old stayed on the field.
It didn’t change the outcome of the match, with a 3-1 reverse leaving United firmly in the bottom half of the table. Nevertheless, there were questions about inconsistency from officials after a previous incident involving the Red Devils.
“Only against Manchester United you can grab a player by the neck while the ref is stood right there and you don’t get sent off,” one fan wrote. “Solly March with his hand around Garnacho’s throat and nobody cares??? Games gone,” argued another.
Plenty of others made reference to Casemiro’s dismissal against Crystal Palace in 2023. On that occasion, the Brazilian was sent off after a VAR check, having put both hands around the throat of Palace midfielder Will Hughes.
“Solly March literally put his hand on Garnacho throat but I guess since his name isn’t Casemiro it won’t be anything,” a third fan wrote. “March just grabbed Garnacho by the throat… no red card though because his name isn’t Casemiro and he doesn’t play for Manchester United,” was the verdict from a fourth.
Should Solly March have been sent off? Have your say in the comments section
United head coach Ruben Amorim issued a damning verdict after the loss. Yankuba Minteh and Bruno Fernandes exchanged goals in the first half, only for Kaoru Mitoma and Georginio Rutter to settle the game in the visitors’ favour.
“In 10 Premier League games we’ve won two,” Amorim acknowledged. “I know that. Imagine what this is for a Manchester United fan and for me. You’re getting a new coach who is losing more than the last coach. I have full knowledge of that.
“But I’m not going to change [system], no matter what. We need to survive this moment because I’m not naive. We are being the worst team – maybe – in the history of Manchester United. You want headlines. I am saying that because we have to acknowledge that and to change that, too.”
Opposite number Fabian Hurzeler had a far rosier outlook. “I think we showed a very mature performance, we had a good balance of good defence and controlling the game in possession,” the Brighton boss told Sky Sports. “We dominated, especially the second half, and created the chances. I’m happy and proud of the group.
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