English Premier League giants Manchester United looked to have gotten their season back on track after marching to a 3-1 lead against newly-promoted side Leicester City, in the 57th minute.
Coming inches to back-to-back wins, and claiming their first three points from an away counter, Louis Van Gaal's side collapsed to an unbelievable 5-3 loss at the hands of the Foxes.
A 62nd minute penalty from David Nugent, and a 64th minute goal from Argentine midfield veteran Esteban Cambiasso brought the home side level, before adding another two goals prior to the final whistle, leaving the Red Devils faithful disappointed.
UNEXPECTED! Man United lose 5-3 to newly-promoted side Leicester City
FT: Leicester 5-3 @ManUtd. Did you see this coming?! What can you say about Van Gaal's defense? And the referee? pic.twitter.com/U9I5nwb7bY
— LiveSoccerTV.com (@LiveSoccerTV) September 21, 2014
What a moment pic.twitter.com/yQlM2X86pR
— Football Funnys (@FootballFunnys) September 21, 2014
Leicester City have scored on all 5 of their shots on target today. Deadly. pic.twitter.com/gNomtzkTaW
— GOLTV (@GolTV) September 21, 2014
Stats from the Red Devil's shock defeat (via Sky Sports)
However, the Manchester United fans were left fuming at referee Mark Clattenburg. A famous official, for all the wrong reasons, Clattenburg spot kick decision was controversial.
David Nugget was brought down in the box by Brazilian right-back Rafael, but the 24-year-old defender appeared to be fouled by the Leicester City attacker prior to the penalty, something Clattenburg failed to pick up on.
The English referee was later blasted on Twitter, as he went on the award Nigel Pearson's side yet another penalty for Jose Ulloa's second goal of the day, Leicester City's fifth, giving young Red Devils defender Tyler Blackett a red card.
Twitter reacts as Mark Clattenburg awards a controversial penalty against Van Gaal's side
CONTROVERSY! Rafael concedes a penalty after a foul on Vardy. Nugent thumps it into the roof of the net. Leicester pull it back to 3-2!
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) September 21, 2014
Penalty! Vardy shoves Rafael, ref let's it go and then the Utd right-back responds with a challenge and a spot-kick is awarded. Clattenburg.
— Josh (@JoshLawlessMCFC) September 21, 2014
Clattenburg is a shocking referee, how is that not a foul on Rafael... But it's also stupid from Rafael to tackle like that..
— Devils of United (@DevilsOfUnited) September 21, 2014
I'm sorry but Mark clattenburg is a disgrace of a ref. no way was that a penalty. Same poor performance as last week City v arsenal
— CitizenVale (@CitizenVale9320) September 21, 2014
Man of the match: Mark Clattenburg
— Ibrahim K. (@ibrahim_kasti) September 21, 2014
Leicester weren’t going to get anything from this game at 1-3. A decision goes their way and they capitalise. Credit to them.
— Aran Sohal (@AranSohal) September 21, 2014
Others, though, had a different view of Clattenburg's decision
Undeniably a refereeing lapse for 1st pen but can't blame Clattenburg for subsequent #mufc collapse. Need better defenders
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) September 21, 2014
Genuinely agree with the referee there - Rafael just gets bullied. He's looking to go down, not contesting it. Lazy.
— The Twelfth Man (@_The12thMan) September 21, 2014
Tables turned: Man Utd fans once hailed Clattenburg, but now blast the English referee
United fans calling Clattenburg MOTM... Well, you remember this? #LEIMUN #GGMULOL pic.twitter.com/YOg5OG0KLy
— Filip Kříž (@fidasek) September 21, 2014
The pressure now further mounts on Dutch manager Louis Van Gaal. Brought in to rebuild the club after David Moyes' disastrous reign, the former Barcelona boss has seen his team fallen to their third loss this season.
Man United's defensive woes continue
I repeat that question I asked on deadline day... Is Falcao really the defender #MUFC needed? #LCFC
— Kris Voakes (@krisvoakes) September 21, 2014
Are Man United better off without Moyes? The stats weigh in
After five games in 2014-15, Louis van Gaal's @ManUtd have FIVE points. After five games last season, David Moyes' side had SEVEN.
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) September 21, 2014
LVG during the game
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