MANCHESTER. – A furious Gary O’Neil slammed VAR Michael Salisbury after Wolves were robbed of an injury-time penalty on Monday evening.
Debutant Manchester United ‘keeper Andre Onana clattered into Sasa Kalajdzic in the box.
But Salisbury chose not to tell ref Simon Hooper to review the pitchside monitor, leaving O’Neil in a rage.
O’Neil, who was booked for protesting, fumed: “The keeper almost took our centre-forward’s head off.
“But I am not overly surprised we didn’t get it.
“I thought it was a penalty live and again when I watched the replay.
“If you clatter into an attacker that hard it has to be a foul.
“I am really, really surprised.”
It’s not the first time Salisbury has been at the centre of a hugely controversial VAR call.
He was AXED from Prem duties last season after his VAR cock-up in Brighton’s 2-1 defeat to Spurs – when he failed to recommend a penalty to the Seagulls – prompted an apology from refs’ chief Howard Webb.
O’Neil added: “It’s a real difficult decision for the on-field refs, so we can’t just leave it to them because they say no.
“I am disappointed we are going home with nothing and then my booking at the end for claiming a penalty.
“I have spoken to the officials about it already.
“If we are all saying it should have been a penalty then he need to have a look.”
United legend Gary Neville insisted Wolves were robbed.
He declared: “It was a penalty was because Onana was nowhere near the ball.
“He was never getting there so he could’ve made a decision before he jumped.”
Wolves star Matheus Cunha added: “Upset is the word. It was a penalty.”
United boss Erik ten Hag was relieved the penalty claim went in his favour.
The Dutchman said: “The VAR looked at the incident and it went on our side so we are happy with the points.
“Andre was really brave to come out and I don’t think he had an influence on the touch from the opponent.”
United won last night’s game at Old Trafford when French defender Varane nodded in Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s 76th-minute cross from close range.
But the visitors – under new boss O’Neil – managed 23 shots on target – the highest from an away team in a Prem match at Old Trafford since Chelsea’s 25 in November, 2005.
O’Neil added: “To come to Old Trafford and have the most shots of any side since 2005 and dominate after just four days of work is exceptional.
“The lads deserved more tonight.” – The Sun