Pranav Nair
Manchester United to become the first English club to play under new handball laws
According to the Daily Star, Manchester United will set the ball rolling for English clubs as new rules come to the fore tonight.
The Red Devils will come to face with the new handball rules when we resume our Europa League campaign against LASK later tonight.
It was announced by UEFA that the new rules for the 2020/21 campaign would be enforced when continental football resumes this week.
A key change that could come into play going forward is the new ‘T-shirt’ law. It goes on to specify that the shoulder is not a part of the arm. It could have implications, especially when it comes to penalty calls from balls that strike a player above the elbow.
Goals scored or created through accidental handball were ruled out this season after IFAB incorporated new rules last summer.
Under the old law, a handball would have been awarded had a player made himself bigger by extending his arms. Also, it was considered to be an automatic offence if the arm was above shoulder height.
Although the new rules came into effect from June 1, UEFA could have stuck with the older interpretations. They have however decided to follow it to the tee.
Does the early bird get the worm?
It is a good opportunity for United to familiarize themselves with the new rules before our rivals. With a commanding 5-0 lead carried over from the first leg, the Red Devils are expected to easily make it to the quarter-finals.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side have been handed a favourable draw for the last eight. United will face either Istanbul Basaksehir or FC Copenhagen once they see off LASK.
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With potential meetings against Roma and Inter Milan in the semifinals and finals, we could have a challenge on our hands the deeper we progress.
United achieved their goal of returning to the top table of European football for next season. They can now end this promising campaign on a high by winning the Europa League. The Reds last won the trophy under Jose Mourinho in 2017.
