Manchester United are preparing to formally request a meeting with PGMOL chief Howard Webb in 2026, as frustration continues to build over a series of refereeing decisions the club believes have directly cost them points this season.
The move reflects growing concern within Old Trafford that controversial calls are becoming a recurring theme in their matches, raising wider questions about consistency and accountability in Premier League officiating.
Manchester United Seek Direct Talks with Howard Webb
According to reports, Manchester United’s senior leadership is keen to hold face-to-face discussions with Howard Webb, the head of Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), which oversees refereeing standards in English football.
The club’s intention is not to challenge individual referees publicly, but to gain clarity and reassurance following several decisions they consider particularly damaging. United believe the frequency of such incidents has increased and that explanations alone are no longer sufficient.
The proposed meeting is expected to take place in 2026 and is being driven by the club’s executive leadership rather than the coaching staff.
Bournemouth Draw Adds to a Season of Controversy
Refereeing drama once again surrounded Manchester United during their chaotic 4–4 draw against Bournemouth at Old Trafford earlier this week. The match featured multiple flashpoints, including an incident involving Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo and United full-back Diogo Dalot.
Semenyo appeared to place his hand around Dalot’s neck during a heated exchange, prompting debate among pundits and former officials. Ex-Premier League referee Keith Hackett stated that the incident could have warranted a red card.
However, despite the attention it generated, Manchester United have not included this moment among the decisions they wish to raise with Webb. Instead, their focus lies on two other incidents they consider more significant.
United Executives Growing Increasingly Frustrated
According to the Daily Mail, the request for a meeting has been initiated by Manchester United’s executive team, including CEO Omar Berrada and Technical Director Jason Wilcox. Notably, head coach Ruben Amorim is not believed to be directly involved in the process.
The report suggests that United’s leadership feels refereeing errors in their matches are not isolated incidents but part of a worrying pattern that has had tangible consequences on results.
That sense of frustration intensified earlier this season following United’s 3–1 defeat to Brentford. During that match, Brentford defender Nathan Collins pulled back Bryan Mbeumo inside the penalty area but avoided a red card.
PGMOL Acknowledges Refereeing Error
After the Brentford match, Berrada and Wilcox reportedly sought clarification from Howard Webb. Subsequent analysis by former referees concluded that Collins should indeed have been sent off for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity.
PGMOL later acknowledged that the decision was incorrect, effectively validating United’s complaint. While the admission was welcomed, it did little to ease concerns at Old Trafford, where officials feel that apologies and post-match explanations are not translating into meaningful improvement.
Two Further Incidents Deepen Manchester United’s Anger
United’s frustration has been compounded by two additional incidents in recent matches. In a draw against West Ham United, the club believes former United defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka should have received a second yellow card for a late challenge on Patrick Dorgu.
Once again, Keith Hackett supported United’s position, stating that the challenge met the threshold for a second booking.
Another flashpoint occurred during United’s 4–1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers, when a shot from Amad Diallo struck the arm of Emmanuel Agbadou inside the penalty area. Despite a VAR review, no penalty was awarded.
According to the same reports, PGMOL later accepted that both decisions were errors, reinforcing United’s belief that their grievances are justified.
A Wider Debate Over Premier League Officiating
Manchester United’s stance comes amid a broader debate over the standard of refereeing in the Premier League this season. Several clubs have privately raised concerns, and discussions between club representatives and Howard Webb have already taken place regarding the use of VAR.
The issue gained further attention after comments from Richard Bevan, CEO of the League Managers Association, who confirmed that many managers are pushing for changes in how matches are officiated.
Speaking on the Footy Accumulators No Tippy Tappy Football podcast, Bevan revealed that VAR consistency remains a major concern across the league.
Proposal for Greater Consistency Between Referees and VAR
One proposal gaining traction is the idea of pairing on-field referees with the same VAR officials on a regular basis. The aim would be to build stronger working relationships, improve communication, and reduce conflicting interpretations of incidents.
“We’ve had many meetings between Premier League managers and Howard Webb about VAR,” Bevan explained. “Some have gone well, others less so.”
“Managers want VAR officials to work with the same referees week in, week out, so there isn’t that awkward disconnect. That way, they understand each other’s decision-making better, and PGMOL appears to be moving in that direction.”
Manchester United Push for Accountability, Not Conflict
Manchester United’s request for talks with Howard Webb is not intended as a public confrontation. Instead, the club wants assurance that lessons are being learned and that improvements will follow.
With margins so fine in the Premier League, United believe repeated officiating errors—however unintended—can significantly shape a season. As the debate over refereeing standards continues, their stance reflects a wider call from clubs for transparency, consistency, and genuine progress in match officiating.
Whether the proposed meeting leads to concrete changes remains to be seen, but for Manchester United, the message is clear: patience is wearing thin.
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