Former Premier League referee says Ronaldo should have been awarded penalty

Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has said that Cristiano Ronaldo should have been awarded a penalty in Manchester United's 2-1 win over West Ham on Sunday.

The summer returning signing fell twice at the London Stadium, with the first being caused by Vladimir Coufal's outstretched leg and the second being Kurt Zouma's sliding tackle.

"I was surprised this wasn't given. I think it's an easier decision to make to give a penalty," said Gallagher while appearing on Ref Watch on Sky Sports.

"He dangled a leg, they adjudged he tried to take it away, but he'd already gone too far into the challenge, for me."

Gallagher, however, had a different take on the second tackle.

"I think this is going to split everyone," Gallagher said. "My original thought was 'penalty', but when I see [referee] Martin Atkinson's view I thought 'no penalty', because Ronaldo goes down way before the contact.

"He anticipates the contact but goes down way before the contact is made. Many would give a penalty, many wouldn't, but that's the nature of the beast; it's a very subjective matter."

Previously, Ronaldo was also denied a penalty appeal in last week's Champions League 2-1 defeat by Young Boys.