Manchester United have been shrouded in VAR controversy since Erling Haaland's controversial goal for Man City at Old Trafford on Sunday
Matheus Cunha looks on
Matheus Cunha was at the centre of a VAR call a week before the Manchester derby with Man City(Image: CameraSport via Getty Images)
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The Premier League have confirmed that referee John Brooks and VAR officials were correct not to award Manchester United a penalty at Everton on September 6. Matheus Cunha looked to have been brought down in the Toffees box during the 2-2 draw.
Bryan Mbeumo opened the scoring for Michael Carrick's side moments into the second half, curling low with precision from the edge of the area. United then felt that they had a chance to double their lead from the penalty spot, when Cunha was seemingly brought down from behind by defender James Tarkowski.
After receiving the ball in the middle of Everton's half, Marcus Rashford drove with pace into Jordan Pickford's area, beating Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite with some silky footwork before backheeling it to Cunha on the edge of the six-yard box.
As the forward looked to score, a last-ditch challenge from Tarkowski dispossessed him, prompting appeals for a penalty from United players on the pitch and away fans in the stands.
While VAR took a quick look at the incident, replays showed Tarkowski won the ball fairly before Branthwaite cleared it.
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And the Premier League have confimed that their panel of refereeing experts have unanimously backed the decision not to award a spot-kick.
They said: "The referee's call of no penalty was supported as Tarkowski clearly and fairly won the ball through Cunha's legs."
Matheus Cunha and James Tarkowski
Matheus Cunha was tackled by James Tarkowski during Man United's clash with Everton(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
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The incident came a week before Sunday's controversial decision to award Erling Haaland's goal against United in the Reds 1-0 Manchester derby defeat.
The on-field call initially ruled him offside, but it was then argued at the time that the Norwegian was in an onside position, with Patrick Dorgu's outstretched leg playing him on.
However, the officials failed to recognise that Enzo Fernandez - who was in an offside position - had interfered with play and the goal should not have stood.
The Premier League refereeing body Pro Ref has since admitted an "error of judgment" from the VAR officials, with United receiving an apology.