Watch: McTominay handles ball three times but no penalty given

Manchester United beat Southampton 1-0 at St Mary’s Stadium on Saturday lunchtime – but some felt they were fortunate not to give away a penalty after the ball hit Scott McTominay’s arm three times in the penalty area.

United were coming into the Southampton game on a high.

They had lost their first two games of the Premier League season in dramatic fashion – 2-1 to Brighton and 4-0 to Brentford – causing much hot air to be expelled by the football commentariat.

But United responded in brilliant fashion, beating Liverpool 2-1 and putting in a performance of energy and zip.

Many expected them to carry that into the game against Southampton away from home in Saturday’s early kick-off, but it did not prove to be the case.

United looked a tad laboured in the first half. But this time, rather than collapse like they had at Brentford, they battled through, stayed tight and nicked the three points with a fantastically worked and beautifully taken Bruno Fernandes volley ten minutes into the second period.

Just a few minutes later, however, they could perhaps count themselves a little lucky to avoid giving away a penalty.

A high ball was lofted towards Southampton striker Che Adams, who was advancing into the penalty area. He was being marked by Scott McTominay but managed to control the ball on his chest.

As it rebounded of Adams’ chest, it hit McTominay on the arm, bounced up, hit McTominay on the other arm, hit Adams on the arm and then hit McTominay on the arm again.

Confused? Just watch the video below.

Though the contact with McTominay’s was pretty obvious, and was checked by the VAR, nothing was given, much to the chagrin of Adams and his Southampton team-mates.

The officials, one imagines, interpreted McTominay as having no intention of playing the ball with his hand, which is fair enough given it came at him from about half a yard away.

Some people will probably argue that it was a penalty anyway as his hand was not in a natural position, whatever that means.

We really can’t be arsed to argue either way, but have a look below and see what you think.

https://twitter.com/AFCFrediNho/status/1563512022746427393?s=20&t=8IjGh0vwp4YSL2WN3nSfzQ

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