Iconic Moments in Football No.83
This week’s ‘Iconic Moment’ was one of the funniest moments in Premier League history. It happened during the Manchester United vs Arsenal match in February 2016.
United’s manager at the time was Louis van Gaal. The Dutchman had a successful fifteen years in coaching, lifting twenty trophies in that time. He won the FA Cup during a two-year stint at Old Trafford, but this iconic moment will be the one thing that he will be remembered for.
His time at Old Trafford started very poorly. United only won three of their opening ten league games in his first season . Their form picked up and they eventually finished fourth.
United were well off the pace the following season and were in fifth position when Arsenal came to Old Trafford for a Premier League match on 28th February.
Van Gaal handed 18-year-old Marcus Rashford his Manchester United debut. The youngster repaid his manager with two goals in the first half and setting up Ander Herrera to score United’s third.
Mesut Ozil scored for Arsenal in the 69th minute, adding to Danny Welbeck’s first half goal for the visitors. It ensured a tense final 20 minutes.
In the closing stages, Van Gaal had the whole of Old Trafford laughing when he reacted to a decision from referee Craig Pawson.
Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez received a pass from Hector Bellerin in the middle of the pitch. United’s Ander Herrera slid in and attempted to dis-possess Sanchez, but only managed to send the Chilean falling to the floor. It wasn’t a particularly dangerous tackle but Pawson decided to give a yellow card.
Louis van Gaal was angry with the decision, claiming that Sanchez had dived to get Pawson to issue the booking. He began venting his frustrations at Mike Dean, the Fourth Official on the touchline.
Dean didn’t listen and to the United boss decided that he wanted to emphasise his point further. He dramatically threw himself to the ground, looking up at Dean hoping for a response.
Lying flat on his back, with his dossier in one hand and pen in the other, Van Gaal looked ridiculous. It remains one of the funniest things seen in a Premier League game and gave everyone a good laugh for a few days after the match.
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