The Premier League have confirmed why Manchester United were not awarded a penalty during their must-win derby with local rivals Manchester City on Sunday
18:04, 15 Dec 2024Updated 18:17, 15 Dec 2024
Rasmus Hojlund
Rasmus Hojlund was not awarded a penalty
Manchester United's players were left furious during the Manchester derby when they were denied a penalty.
Ruben Amorim's side were chasing the game just past the hour mark, following Josko Gvardiol's opener, when Rasmus Hojlund made his way into the Manchester City penalty area. The Dane knocked the ball past Ruben Dias, who stuck his foot across took down Hojlund.
The Red Devils star was convinced he should have been awarded a penalty - and so too was Gary Neville, who was on commentary for Sky Sports. However, clearing up the scenario was Mike Dean, who told Sky it was a "coming together".
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Dean's sentiments were echoed by Anthony Taylor and VAR - who deemed there was not enough in it to award the Red Devils a spot kick. The Premier League Match Centre X account confirmed the decision too.
It said: "The referee’s call of no penalty for the challenge between Hojlund and Dias was checked and confirmed by VAR, deeming it was normal contact."
Rasmus Hojlund
Rasmus Hojlund was convinced it was a penalty(Image: Getty Images)
However, the decision did not go down well with United fans on social media.
"'Normal contact' of a defender across an attacker, without winning the ball, bringing him down. Cool cool cool," one fan fumed. While a second shared an image of the incident with the caption: "Please explain to me what is normal about this tackle?"
"That's a stonewall penalty for Manchester United," a third said. And another added: "Dias has just taken out Hojlund in the box without getting the ball - someone explain to me why that isn't a penalty?"
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