Michael Oliver was nigh on perfect with every call and wasn't fazed by Manchester United crowd after Paul Pogba's needless handball

Michael Oliver stepped up at Old Trafford to produce a top level performance showing a level of maturity beyond his years.

The 31-year-old referee wasn't fazed by anything this highest of profile Premier League fixtures threw up and he was nigh on perfect with every call.

The biggest decision was perhaps his easiest as Paul Pogba needlessly handled a cross to concede an indisputable penalty. 

Michael Oliver explains another decision to Wayne Rooney during a first-class performance

Michael Oliver explains another decision to Wayne Rooney during a first-class performance

Olivier wasn't conned by Ander Herrera's efforts to avoid a yellow card for his part in a tangle

Olivier wasn't conned by Ander Herrera's efforts to avoid a yellow card for his part in a tangle

Nevertheless it's still a penalty to the away team at Old Trafford!! Oliver showed how in control he was and sensibly waved away penalty appeals against Pogba again when he wrestled an opponent to the ground.


The moment I liked best came on 90 minutes when Ander Herrera pulled Roberto Firmino back by the shirt. 

The Liverpool man retaliated by shoving his opponent. The Northumbrian referee refused to be 'conned' by Herrera who fell holding his face, correctly seeing that Firmino had only pushed him in the chest.

Herrera should be embarrassed by his conduct but he won't be.

The only clear was error was not by Oliver but one of his assistants who missed Antonio Valencia was marginally offside in the build-up to United's equaliser. 

Paul Pogba knew he had made a grave error in raising his hands inside the penalty box

Paul Pogba knew he had made a grave error in raising his hands inside the penalty box

Herrera was rightly booked for his blatant shirt-pull on Firmino in the final few minutes

Herrera was rightly booked for his blatant shirt-pull on Firmino in the final few minutes

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