BREAKING: PGMOL Issue Apology as FA Review Refereeing Errors in Manchester Derby
Manchester United were once again at the center of controversy after the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) were reportedly compelled to issue an apology following the disallowing of three United goals in the clash against Manchester City.
The Football Association’s post-match assessment of the officiating team allegedly acknowledged serious errors made by the referee and match officials, reigniting debate around consistency and accountability in Premier League officiating.
Beyond the refereeing drama, attention has also shifted to a notable tactical and personnel change at Old Trafford—particularly involving young midfield star Kobbie Mainoo.
Club legend Rio Ferdinand has revealed that he immediately noticed a clear difference in Mainoo’s role and impact under interim manager Michael Carrick, especially when compared to his struggles during Ruben Amorim’s tenure.
During the 2025–26 season under Amorim, Mainoo found himself surprisingly marginalized. Despite being regarded as one of the brightest talents to emerge from United’s academy in recent years, the England international was limited to just 12 Premier League appearances.
Amorim frequently preferred a midfield setup that saw Bruno Fernandes deployed deeper in a double pivot alongside Casemiro, a tactical choice that left Mainoo on the fringes and fighting for relevance in the first-team picture.
The situation worsened toward the end of Amorim’s spell, as Mainoo missed the final four matches of the Portuguese manager’s reign before Amorim was dismissed earlier this month. However, that managerial change proved to be a turning point.
Michael Carrick’s appointment as interim head coach opened the door for a reset, offering Mainoo the opportunity to re-establish himself at senior level.
Mainoo initially returned from a calf injury under caretaker manager Darren Fletcher, featuring against Burnley and Brighton.
But it was Carrick who truly reinstated the midfielder’s importance, handing him his first Premier League start of the campaign in the high-profile encounter against Manchester City.
Following United’s impressive 2–0 victory over their rivals at Old Trafford, Rio Ferdinand shared his analysis on Rio Ferdinand Presents, explaining why Mainoo appeared far more effective under Carrick than he ever did under Amorim.
Ferdinand questioned whether Amorim had misunderstood certain players or simply implemented a system that failed to maximize their strengths.
Reflecting on Mainoo’s absence, Ferdinand echoed the sentiments of many fans, asking how such a talented youngster could have been left out for so long.
He emphasized that the issue was not about Mainoo’s quality, but rather about tactical compatibility.
According to Ferdinand, Amorim’s system simply did not suit Mainoo’s profile, whereas Carrick’s setup allowed him to thrive.
The key difference, Ferdinand noted, was spatial structure. Carrick’s 4-2-3-1 formation created more freedom and clearer zones for Mainoo to operate in, unlike Amorim’s rigid approach.
Against City, Mainoo featured in a double pivot alongside Casemiro and delivered a composed, disciplined performance, contributing to United’s control in midfield.
In Ferdinand’s view, Carrick’s tactical flexibility and understanding of midfield dynamics have already paid dividends.
Mainoo’s resurgence symbolized not only a fresh start for the player, but also a broader sense of renewed clarity and balance in United’s approach under their interim boss.
