HOWARD WEBB LOOKS SET TO RETURN FOR UNITED

Key man for United

Referee Howard Webb is hoping to return to action for Manchester United's next home league game after not featuring for the Red Devils since the 8-2 mauling of Arsenal in late August.

This news will come as a huge boost to United after some truly bad officiating cost them all three points on Saturday, something which they have become accustomed to since Webb has not featured. Sir Alex Ferguson was delighted on hearing the news and said it will bring back the confidence to the team. "It's no coincidence that results have not gone as well without Howard, I suppose it's a bit like not having the crowd there, you lose your twelfth man, he knows what it's like to play at Old Trafford, he knows the crowd and he knows what I want as a manager".

Howard Webb was not present in the stands against Newcastle but witnessed the shocking penalty decision on television. In a interview with MUTV Webb was upset at the decision but feels Jones deserves another chance, "You could understand if he'd done that down the other end, but he's just panicked, it's unfortunate, he will learn and hopefully the fans can forgive him".

Bad refereeing decisions against United at Old Trafford are now up to an astounding four since the Premier League started back in 1992. Here is a look at the other three;

Polite

Vs Middlesbrough Jan 29th 2000

Andy D'Urso angered the Old Trafford crowd when he awarded Middlesbrough a controversial second half penalty with the game at 0-0, having not realised his mistake five United players, including the friendly Roy Keane, politely asked him to change his mind, unbelievably he refused and the penalty stood. Luckily for D'Urso Middlesborough missed the penalty and United went on to win the game 1-0.

Vs Manchester City 21st April 2001

Roy Keane and Alf-Inge Haaland weren't the best of pals coming into this feisty derby back in 2001, the Norwegian when playing for Leeds accused Keane of faining injury when he had actually torn a ligament. The often mild mannered Keane saw an opportunity for revenge and caught Haaland with a vicious studs up challenge. Referee Uriah Rennie sent the United midfielder off without hesitation, not taking into consideration that that Keane was just trying to settle an old score. 

Vs Chelsea 3rd April 2010

With Chelsea leading 2-1 to all but clinch the Premier league championship, the board went up for only five minutes stoppage time to the disbelief of everyone inside Old Trafford. In a game of this magnitude with United needing to win to have any chance of Premiership glory 5 minutes added time was not going to be enough to win it. Ferguson looked on in anger as United went down 2-1.