Rasmus Hojlund went down under the challenge of Ruben Dias
Rasmus Hojlund went down under the challenge of Ruben Dias but Manchester United did not receive a penalty
The Premier League have explained why Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund was denied a penalty in Sunday's derby clash at The Etihad.
A statement from the Premier League was released minutes after a coming together between Hojlund and Ruben Dias in the penalty area was cleared by VAR, saying: "The referee’s call of no penalty for the challenge between Højlund and Dias was checked and confirmed by VAR, deeming it was normal contact."
Former Premier League referee Mike Dean said on commentary for Sky Sports that he felt the coming together did not warrant a spot-kick, saying: "I thought it was a natural coming together.
"I don't think that's enough in a game like this," he added, when former Red Devils defender Gary Neville queried the call.
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Neville said: "It was clumsy, that we do know. It may have just been a coming together but Dias seemed to step across the Manchester United striker. I think there's something in it, his left leg goes across Hojlund's knee."
United were trailing 1-0 at the time of the incident, with Josko Gvardiol heading the Premier League champions into the lead just before half-time.
There was no shortage of talking points on a tense afternoon at The Etihad, including a brief 22-man melee after an incident involving Hojlund and Manchester City right-back, Kyle Walker.
Gary Neville queried the decision on Sky Sports commentary
Walker threw himself to the turf after the pair went head to head but there was barely any contact. Roy Keane was furious with the defender following the incident and branded him 'embarrassing'.
When Keane was asked if he'd have given a red card for the incident by Super Sunday host Kelly Cates, he retorted: "Yeah, to Walker! You don't mind a bit or this in the game, a bit of argie-bargie, of course. He's obviously been blocked but Walker...of course it's a foul. It's a free-kick and Hojlund's not happy, that's fine.
"But then he goes over and how can Walker [go down]. Walker must be embarrassed. He must be embarrassed to go down like that - an experienced player.
"I don't know the guy, but I'm embarrassed for him. It's embarrassing."
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