The first game of the latest round of Premier League fixtures was packed full of drama as Manchester United were held to a draw away against Bournemouth. The match ended 2-2, but some VAR controversy has stolen headlines.
The Red Devils took the lead thanks to Bruno Fernandes after Matheus Cunha won a penalty. Man Utd then thought they had a good shout for another spot-kick when Amad Diallo went down in the box. No foul was given by referee Stuart Attwell, though, and the Cherries raced up the pitch to score just seconds later through Ryan Christie.
Michael Carrick's team took the lead four minutes later with James Hill scoring an own goal, but the dramatic referee calls were not finished yet. Indeed, Harry Maguire was then sent off for the denial of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity, as Bournemouth made it 2-2 with Eli Junior Kroupi netting the consequent penalty.
Carrick Slams 'Baffling' VAR as Man Utd Draw vs Cherries
There was immediate outrage over the VAR incidents after the game, with many suggesting that the push on Amad, which did not result in a Man Utd penalty, was very similar to Maguire's foul on Evanilson, which led to a spot kick and a red card.
Man Utd interim boss Carrick was among those to point that out. He spoke strongly after the game as he made his feelings known to the press, telling Sky Sports: "We should have had another penalty. Obviously, if you get one, you must get the other.
"It's pretty much identical for me, two-hand grab. Either way, [the ref] got one wrong, but to give one and not give the other, I can't get my head around it. I think it's crazy. It's a bit baffling, really.
"Because of that, they score and then it's chaos after that, really. We should have had another penalty and the game would have been totally different."
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The Red Devils were forced to settle for a draw on the south coast, but the Sky Sports' studio were in disagreement over their luck with VAR.
Man Utd star Bruno Fernandes was also angered by the incidents. He said: "We get a penalty against [us] where more or less it's the same situation as Amad.
"One is rewarded as a penalty, the other one not. I know it's difficult for the referee to give two penalties in the same game for the same team but what I don't understand is why VAR doesn't get involved in that situation.
"Either one is a penalty and the other one too or none of them is a penalty."
Mark Clattenburg Discusses Amad's Penalty Shout vs Bournemouth
Mark Clattenburg
Mark Clattenburg
Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg has now weighed in on the matter, explaining whether or not Amad deserved a penalty. Speaking to United in Focus, he claimed that, despite Carrick's protestations, it would have been 'very soft' to give as a foul inside the box, explaining:
“Manchester United wanted a penalty when Amad Diallo went down from contact with a Bournemouth defender inside the penalty area.
“The referee and VAR agreed that any contact was slight and not consistent with his fall. After this challenge, Bournemouth went up the other end and scored.
“I believe the referee and VAR were right to play on, as this would have been in the very soft category if given.”
After the draw, Man Utd remain fourth in the league and now sit four points clear of Aston Villa, who play against West Ham at Villa Park on Sunday. Bournemouth are 10th, level on points with Newcastle United, who host rivals Sunderland tomorrow (22 March).