Manchester United fans have been left fuming at VAR after West Ham were awarded a late penalty.
The Red Devils had already had to peg themselves back through Casemiro when Matthijs de Ligt tangled with Danny Ings in the box. It was initially waved away by the referee, but VAR intervened and called David Coote over to the monitor.
Coote pointed to the spot allowing Jarrod Bowen to fire home and hand West Ham all three points. However, United fans were left furious on social media, questioning why VAR involved itself in the challenge.
“That really is disgraceful application of VAR. De Ligt and Ings simply come together, but Michael Oliver intervenes. David Coote never going to overrule senior referee. No check about Ings handball,” one fan fumed. While a second said: “How can that be ‘clear and obvious’?”
“I mean I want Man Utd to lose…. Bur how is that given as a penalty?!?! So so so soft. Prem Refs and VAR refs are the worst. Just the worst,” a third replied. And another added: “What’s the VAR doing getting busy for that West Ham penalty?”
The Premier League’s Match Centre X account offered an explanation as to why CAR was involved in the decision making process: “The referee did not award a penalty to West Ham for a challenge by de Ligt on Ings.
“The VAR deemed there was sufficient contact on Ings’ lower leg and recommended an on-field review. The referee overturned his original decision and awarded a penalty.”
The result leaves the Red Devils sinking down the table into 14th after nine matches with just four wins across all competitions. United are also yet to win in Europe after three consecutive draws.