Premier League referees: Hate and favourite clubs

In the past five seasons, no top-flight club has seen more decisions go their way than Bournemouth with Gunners second.

IT’S one of the age-old adages of the Premier League… referees love siding with Manchester United.

Over the years, the Old Trafford outfit appeared to benefit from a host of late decisions going their way.

Whether it be a late penalty awarded – or denied for the opposition – or perhaps even a questionable sending-off, rival fans have always believed refs were swayed towards United.

It’s always been the case and always will be, right? Wrong…

In fact, out of the Premier League’s top six, through the past five seasons, United receive the FEWEST decisions in their favour, according to Free Super Tips.

Since Sir Alex Ferguson famously waved farewell to Old Trafford, United have a “club-referee affinity” rating of just 58.15 per cent.

Amazingly, it’s Arsenal who are the new teachers’ pet in the top six – with a 64.6 per cent rating.

They sit behind only Bournemouth (66 per cent) in the entire Premier League since the start of the 2012-13 season.

In third place – and second of the top six – Liverpool sit on 62.7, with Chelsea third in the mini-league on 61.7.

Meanwhile, fellow top six rivals Manchester City, Tottenham and United all sit BELOWthe league average rating of 59.9 per cent.

Watford however really have drawn the short straw, sitting miles and miles behind even 19th-placed Stoke with an horrific affinity rating of just 52.2.

The Potters’ 56.1 per cent rating sits just above them, with Crystal Palace once again making the bottom three.

But the main story sits at the feet of Man United, who appear to have lost their “fear factor”.

After all, since Fergie left, United are committing 37.7 per cent more fouls, picking up more yellow cards and receiving fewer penalties…