Man Utd charged by FA over Brighton incident

United have until Monday to respond

Manchester United have been hit with an FA charge after their players surrounded referee Peter Bankes in Tuesday’s Premier League game against Brighton.

The incident occurred shortly after Cristiano Ronaldo had given United the lead, when Anthony Elanga appeared to be clean through on goal having turned Lewis Dunk. The Brighton defender brought the Swedish youngster down and, though Bankes blew for a foul, deemed Dunk’s intervention as being worthy only of a yellow card, not a red.

United’s players were incensed at the decision, believing Elanga had been denied a clear goalscoring opportunity. VAR official Jarred Gillett advised Bankes to consult a pitch-side monitor and, having done so, the referee changed his mind, showing Dunk a red card.

While United’s players were shown to be correct in their belief that Dunk should have been sent off, their reaction has seen the FA issue them with a charge.

“Manchester United FC has been charged with a breach of FA Rule E20.1 following its Premier League game against Brighton & Hove Albion FC on Tuesday [15/2/22],” a statement from the FA reads.

“It is alleged that Manchester United FC failed to ensure its players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion during the 53rd minute, and the club has until Monday [21/2/22] to provide a response.”

Playing against ten men for over half an hour, United were able to hold on to their lead – eventually doubling it through Bruno Fernandes in the dying seconds of the game.

Their win brings to an end a three-game winless run for Ralf Rangnick’s side, who were on the wrong end of controversial refereeing decisions in their FA Cup exit to Middlesbrough and the 1-1 draw at Burnley in the Premier League.

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