Manchester United set the pace in the first half at Old Trafford against a Middlesbrough who looked resolute at the back. But, the Red Devils seemed to have finally broken the deadlock near the end of the first half.
Anthony Martial hit the post and soon after, he produced a piece of magical skill to set up Zlatan Ibrahimovic for an easy tap-in, which the Swede converted, only to be flagged for a high boot, contrary to what it looked like.
The goal was wrongly disallowed by referee Lee Mason, who then had to face the wrath of Manchester United fans, on Twitter.
Absolutely appalling decision by Lee Mason in ruling out Ibrahimovic’s clever finish.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) December 31, 2016
That is another awful decision against #mufc this season. Risible refereeing from Lee Mason.
— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) December 31, 2016
Odds of Lee Mason making it into 2017: 1000-1. pic.twitter.com/CglvRSzMRX
— Eurosport UK (@Eurosport_UK) December 31, 2016
#manutd vs #Middlesbrough what planet is referee #leemason on. Poor poor call disallowing #Ibrahimovic goal.
— Christopher Thompson (@Greatermanc) December 31, 2016
HT United 0-0 Boro. United would be ahead but for Lee Mason shocker. Martial, Pogba and Mkhitaryan playing well.
— Rob Dawson (@RobDawsonMEN) December 31, 2016
Overhead kicks now banned in the premier league according to Lee Mason? #Ibrahimovic #MUFC
— Laurence Coombe (@laurencecoombe) December 31, 2016
Mourinho in conversation with 4th official. Presumably to double check that Lee Mason is aware he’s actually refereeing a game of FOOTball
— United In Focus (@UnitedInFocus) December 31, 2016
While the Red Devils duo, Zlatan and Martial received words of appreciation on the popular social media platform for their effort.
Not having that decision, Zlatan did nothing wrong. Valdez was simply to late..!!
— Peter Schmeichel (@Pschmeichel1) December 31, 2016
How is this a foul from Zlatan Ibrahimovic? That’s not dangerous play. #MUNMID
— United Report (@ManUtdReport_) December 31, 2016
Two moments of real quality from Anthony Martial. Then the referee somehow manages to find a way to deny Ibrahimovic a fine goal… #MUNMID
— Duncan Castles (@DuncanCastles) December 31, 2016
Doesn’t look much wrong with Ibrahimovic’s ‘goal’. Mourinho laughing on the touchline. Martial brilliant in the build up.
— Rob Dawson (@RobDawsonMEN) December 31, 2016
If Martial and Mkhitaryan play the same they did in the first half, they should score in the second half though. Ibra in form too.
— Hesham Bilal-Hafiz (@hesham786) December 31, 2016
