Retired top referee Howard Webb has said that Manchester United were denied a penalty kick after a foul on Antonio Valencia in the 1-1 draw against Arsenal on Saturday.

The former Premier League referee told BT Sport:

“I think on balance, it was a penalty. Was it cast-iron, stonewall penalty? No. I saw it in slow motion and the contact was less significant than I first thought. But do I think Monreal in his attempt to get the ball impeded him? Yes I do. I think it’s a penalty and I’m surprised Andre didn’t give it.

“I don’t think there would have been much reaction if he had and I’m sure [Arsene] Wenger would have been screaming for it down the other end.”

Red Devils manager Jose Mourinho did not direct his anger at the referee despite being visibly upset with the decision of the ref. Mourinho might have been watchful f his reactions as he recently served a one-match touchline ban after the FA deemed his reaction unfair to the officials. United had a foul during the 0-0 Burnley game denied and it made the Portuguese tactician furious.

Rather Mourinho said that he wanted to “reaffirm that the referee tried to do his best” in a news conference after the hard-fought match. Mourinho said he did not want to say what he thought about the decision, preferring to speak on other happenings in a game United almost won.

The score line was 0-0 when the Valencia incident happened but Man United eventually broke the deadlock in the 68th minute courtesy of Juan Mata. The playmaker dictated the pace of the game but was eventually substituted late in the game before the visitors equalized. Arsenal got a late goal through an Olivier Giroud header to share points with the hosts.