Former Manchester United defender turned pundit Gary Neville has backed referee Mike Dean following the reaction to his performance during the Red Devils win over West Ham.
United sealed a 2-0 win over the Hammers on Monday but the match was marred by a poor performance from Dean, who curiously sent West Ham forwarad Sofiane Feghouli off for an early shower for a challenge on Phil Jones.
Replays suggested that both players were guilty of lunging in after Feghouli had lost possession in the 15th minute with Neville among those criticising Dean’s display.
WATCH: Dean needs his eyes checked
RT if you think Mike Dean needs his eyes checked! pic.twitter.com/pwRz5pS1uJ
— Premier League (@Premierfanpage) January 2, 2017
The internet was sparked into life slamming Dean and calling for him to retire.
Mike Dean likes to be the centre of attention at every opportunity. Top officials in sport are very rarely noticed.
— Alec Stewart (@StewieCricket) January 2, 2017
What is going on with the refereeing in the premier league 😳 Mike Dean explain how that’s a sending off 🤔??????
— Chris Kamara (@chris_kammy) January 2, 2017
That is an absurd red card. Ridiculous decision. Mike Dean has dropped a real Feghouli.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) January 2, 2017
Mike Dean is finished! So so so bad! He gets worse and worse every week. Take the whistle from him please!
— John Arne Riise (@JARiiseOfficial) January 2, 2017
Neville then took to Twitter to defend the post-match treatment of the referee.
I was critical of Mike deans performance in the game . He was poor. But I think the reaction since towards him is disgraceful.
— Gary Neville (@GNev2) January 3, 2017
Yes he should be criticised but to suggest he wanted to be centre of attention and he should be sacked or not referee again is wrong!!
— Gary Neville (@GNev2) January 3, 2017
