Regardless of who you support, you can’t possibly say that wasn’t a penalty.
Jose Mourinho made a big call in dropping Paul Pogba for Manchester United’s clash with Huddersfield, for sure, but it still offered academy graduate Scott McTominay an excellent opportunity to prove himself.
The 21-year-old has been integrated into the first-team by Mourinho after making his senior debut against Arsenal at the end of last season, including being handed a start in the Champions League as well as signing a new contract that keeps him at Old Trafford until 2021.
Against Huddersfield, his composure and metronomic presence belied his tender years, keeping United’s passing moves ticking along in a steady manner that was a radical departure from Pogba’s much more flamboyant qualities.
And McTominay should have won his side a penalty, too, inexplicably being waved away despite being utterly poleaxed by Huddersfield full-back Terence Kongolo. With the ball in the air, McTominay went in and got his head to it before being clattered by the Dutchman. Kongolo was nowhere near winning the ball and the manner in which he collided into the young midfielder was reckless, yet referee Stuart Attwell decided not to award United the spot-kick.
It was a blatant penalty and certainly sparked a strong response on Twitter. It should be noted that there were suggestions of a foul on Huddersfield goalkeeper Jonas Lossl, but it was nothing like Kongolo’s aerial assault on McTominay.
100% penalty kick on McTominay!!!…but apparently you're allowed to freely destroy people inside the 18yd box. Awful refereeing. #MUvHUD
— Alejandro Moreno (@AleMorenoESPN) February 3, 2018
McTominay deserves a penalty for that. Kongolo just crushes him. Wow
— James Tyler (still) (@JamesTylerESPN) February 3, 2018
Kongolo charged into McTominay then. Completely flattened him. Should have been a penalty. Not even a free kick. Huddersfield annoyed at challenge on keeper before that.
— Simon Stone (@sistoney67) February 3, 2018
If that’s not a penalty for McTominay, then nothing is. Absolutely moronic challenge by Kongolo.
— Jonas Adnan Giæver (@CheGiaevara) February 3, 2018
McTominay is poleaxed inside the area but Attwell doesn't give a foul. Seconds later blows up because he has a head injury, Clear penalty. #mufc
— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) February 3, 2018
