Man Utd’s expensive trend reveals a cause for concern Erik ten Hag is struggling to control
After Saturday’s draw with Chelsea, the FA has penalized  Manchester United for the second time in three games for a violation of rule E20.1.
Several United players surrounded Stuart Attwell to vehemently contest his late penalty call after Scott McTominay took down Armando Broja in the penalty area.
Before Attwell gave the penalty that Jorginho converted in the 87th minute, it appeared that the heavyweight Premier League contest at Stamford Bridge would go scoreless.
Casemiro scored an equalizer in the 94th minute with a header, extending the mayhem into extra time.
United’s players were the ones to celebrate after the final whistle, but their reaction to the penalty call has not gone unpunished.
The FA said on Thursday that it had charged the Red Devils for allegedly failing to conduct themselves in a “orderly” manner.
The statement read: “Manchester United FC has been charged with a breach of FA Rule E20.1 after its fixture versus Chelsea FC on Saturday 22 October 2022 in the Premier League. Manchester United FC allegedly failed to ensure that its players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion in the 84th minute, and the club has until Friday 28 October 2022 to provide a response.”
A week later, United received a second FA charge for violating E20.1 after intimidating referee Craig Pawson during their 0-0 draw with Newcastle United at Old Trafford.
Ronaldo believed that Newcastle had taken a free kick before grabbing the ball from Nick Pope and presumably scoring the game’s first goal.
After Pawson confirmed that the opposing team had not yet taken the free-kick, United’s players rushed in his direction to make Ronaldo’s case.
Two comparable events within a week could call into question Ten Hag’s authority over his players, as disciplinary incidents mount.
Ronaldo’s unwillingness to enter Wednesday’s 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur after Ten Hag had asked, before leaving Old Trafford during the game, cast doubt on the Dutchman’s authority.
In response, he fined Ronaldo two weeks’ pay and suspended him for Saturday’s match against Chelsea.
Some will view United’s new propensity to attempt to influence the referee on the field as a much-needed willingness to battle for everything in pursuit of victories.
To others, however, this trait is dislikeable and costly for the Red Devils as the FA cracks down on referee respect.
Man Utd’s expensive trend reveals a cause for concern Erik ten Hag is struggling to control
