Even before the FA Cup tie between United and Chelsea on Sunday, many bitter rival fans bemoaned the match referee Howard Webb, accusing him of being biased towards Manchester United when he referees their games.

So lets take a look at incorrect decisions FOR and AGAINST.

Manchester United 2 - 1 Arsenal, April 2008

Emmanuel Adebayor scores the opening goal for Arsenal using his hand to hit the ball into the net.

AGAINST

Webb rightly awards a penalty to United for a handball by Gallas in the box. It was clearly the correct decision so no arguments for or against there.

Webb makes Ronaldo re-take the penalty which he scored after several players entered the box before it was taken. Not often do you see this rule implemented very strictly but Ronaldo scored the re-take anyway. Correct decision and no bias shown.

Evra goes to ground easily under a challenge from Gilberto and Manchester United score the winner from the resulting free kick. It's hard to call this one. Not a major decision it would initially appear but the result of it was significant. I'm going to be generous.

FOR

Manchester United 3 - 0 Chelsea, January 2009

Howard Webb disallows a legitimate goal for Manchester United after they deceived everyone with a short corner and caught Chelsea - and apparently the officials - sleeping. The reason for the cancellation of the goal was given after the match as United's failure to tell the official they were taking the corner. You don't often see players telling referees they're about to take a corner, its usually expected when a corner is awarded and the player walks over to the corner with the ball.

AGAINST

Manchester United 2 - 1 Blackburn Rovers, February 2009

Referee Webb inexplicably disallows a perfectly legitimate Jonny Evans headed goal for United.

AGAINST

After United go 2-1 up, Morten Gamst Pederson goes down in the box after a supposed hauling down by Rafael. Replays show Rafael merely touched the shoulder of the Blackburn man and applied no pressure to make him go down.


Manchester United 5 - 2 Tottenham, April 2009

Tottenham's Wilson Palacios lunges in two-footedly on Ronaldo in the first half which should have seen him sent off, but Webb fails to do so. .

AGAINST

When United are two goals down, Howard Webb incorrectly awards Manchester United a penalty after Carrick hit the deck trying to round Spurs 'keeper Gomes. Replays show that Gomes clearly took the ball before taking out Carrick and that no penalty should have been awarded. Claims were made after the game that United won the match as a result of this incorrect decision, but studies later revealed that a penalty scored is worth one goal, and not five.

FOR

Manchester United 3 - 1 Manchester City, January 2010

It could have been argued that Rio Ferdinand deserved to receive a red card for this violent conduct inflicted on Tevez, but nothing was given. Could have had big implications on the match had he been sent off.

FOR

Manchester United 2 - 1 Liverpool, March 2010

Webb awards United a soft enough penalty after Antonio Valencia strode into the box with Javier Mascherano tugging on his arm. Initial contact occurred outside the area, but just about continued into the box and Valencia gladly went down. Very tough to call. Would be harsh to say it was a definite penalty but generous to say there was nothing in it

Manchester United 1 - 0 Liverpool, January 2011

Webb wrongly awards Manchester United a penalty after Dimitar Berbatov took a dive in the box. No question about this one.

FOR

So now lets tot up the scores shall we!

FOR 4 AGAINST 4


Well would you look at that. It's even!

I rest my case.

guy, i beg just free those guys way dey talk nonsense... if he dey pain dem, make dem ma sign ref...