Premier League referees DO favour Manchester United - and here's the proof

Manchester United can consider themselves the beneficiaries of a series of refereeing blunders, according to You Are The Ref.

Jose Mourinho and co may believe they have been wronged by the men in the middle as they lie 16 points adrift of bitter rivals Manchester City.

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But it could be a lot more embarrassing for the Red Devils, as the current runners-up should be sitting outside the Champions League positions in fifth place, reckons former Premier League referee Mark Halsey.

The new statistic is part of a new ‘True Table’ initiative by You Are The Ref, which has seen Halsey rate every Premier League match so far and judge where teams should actually be on the ladder.

United consequently gained an advantage, edging a win against West Brom at the Hawthorns despite Ashley Young appearing to foul James McLean in the penalty area.

And remember the Red Devils beating Brighton at Old Trafford? Halsey’s table removes the corner which the hosts subsequently scored the winning goal from – after Romelu Lukaku ostensibly played the ball out.

Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham are all vying for a place in the top four and ultimately may well prove to be frustrated in their pursuit of Champions League football next season where United may succeed.

Runaway leaders Manchester City would only lead by a futile 12 points, according to the table, while Arsenal would have picked up five extra points.

But, sorry Gunners fans, Arsene Wenger’s side would remain struggling in sixth place.

To see a full explainer, as well as a referee ranking, visit You Are The Ref.