Dropped balls are no longer contested yet Dean restarted the game with one, something the commentators applauded and said we should have more off. Tells you all you need to know about the state of the game
It was like one of those rugby melees, when you couldn't see who had the ball until everyone peeled off the pack. But the dropped ball should have been uncontested, to the team whose player last touched the ball. I believe Raheem was touching the ball when everyone else left the pile of players.
If Dean was still unsure, common sense would dictate that the dropped ball should have been uncontested to the defending team. As you say, contested dropped balls are no longer part of the game.
Dean's relationship to the rules reminds me of an old person's understanding of the Highway Code. They just treat it was it was when they first encountered it, with no real regard to any updates that might have been implemented in the prevailing twenty or more years.
Dean likes to be the centre of attention, and the best way to achieve this is through controversy. Look at the United v Southampton league game from February of this year. Southampton player rightly sent off after two minutes. Later, with United 6-0 up in the 86th minute, he sent off Bednarek for a foul on Martial. He even went to the pitch-side monitor to confirm his decision. United scored the penalty, and then got two more goals to win 9-0.
Southampton appealed Bednarek's dismissal, and won the appeal. It was a clear dive by Martial. But why did Dean favour United in that situation? Surely, the benefit of the doubt should have gone to the team that had played with ten players since the second minutes, already losing by 6-0.
This is typical of Dean, wanting to catch the headlines. He doesn't really care about accuracy of decisions, because his retirement is very close. His main priority is to try and keep Riley happy.