'He escaped' - PGMOL insider explains why Bryan Mbeumo wasn't sent off for Arsenal incident
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Credit: Imago / Sky Sports
Harri Burton
Tue 19 August 2025 18:20, UK
Man United winger Bryan Mbeumo should have received punishment for his elbow on Martin Zubimendi, according to Keith Hackett.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that Mbeumo was lucky to escape sanction during the Red Devils’ 1-0 defeat to Arsenal on Saturday, 17 August.
After just 40 seconds, Zubimendi was left on the floor following a hit to the face from the former Brentford man, with play being allowed to carry on by Simon Hooper, and no intervention from VAR.
Ruben Amorim‘s side had plenty of chances to open the scoring at Old Trafford, but, with Altay Bayindir being blamed for a mistake, Riccardo Calafiori was able to head home the eventual winner in the first half.
This article contains exclusive comments from ex-PGMOL chief, FIFA official and former professional referee Keith Hackett.
The game could have been out of United’s hands far earlier than anticipated had Hooper taken action on Mbeumo’s clash with Zubimendi, but the winger continued to be a threat until full-time.
Patrick Dorgu, David Raya, Jurrien Timber, and Myles Lewis-Skelly all joined Calafiori in the referee’s notebook, but there was no punishment in the opening minute, leaving Gunners fans baffled.
Simon Hooper failed to issue a red card for Bryan Mbeumo.
(Credit Imago)
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Hackett has now explained why VAR did not intervene for a potential red card at Old Trafford, but admitted that a mistake had been made by not issuing a yellow card.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee said: “I’ve looked at the Mbeumo incident closely, and the use of his arm against an opponent.
This is reckless and should have resulted in a yellow card.
Bryan Mbeumo was lucky to go unpunished for Man United.