In a thrilling Premier League opener, Manchester United secured a 1-0 victory against Wolves, but the match was marred by a contentious decision involving goalkeeper Andre Onana’s frantic punch that left Wolves denied a penalty. This incident has sparked strong criticism of VAR’s handling by football pundit Danny Murphy.

 

The match unfolded at Old Trafford, where the hosts managed a narrow victory despite Wolves creating numerous scoring opportunities. However, it was the late-game drama that captured the headlines. Deep into second-half stoppage time, Andre Onana lunged off his line to collect a cross but missed the ball completely, colliding with Wolves’ Sasa Kalajdzic. The away side and their fans erupted in protest, demanding a penalty, but the referee, Simon Hooper, neither pointed to the spot nor consulted the VAR monitor.

 

Post-match, Wolves manager Gary O’Neil expressed his belief that his team was unfortunate not to be awarded the penalty. This sentiment was echoed by Danny Murphy, who delivered a scathing assessment of VAR’s failure to intervene and correct the apparent error. On talkSPORT, Murphy emphatically stated that the incident was an “absolutely bizarre decision” and criticized VAR’s supposed role in eliminating wrong decisions.

Murphy continued to express his disbelief, emphasizing that the situation was an obvious penalty that should have been reviewed by the referee. He described the decision-making as “incompetence” and called for accountability within the VAR team.

 

Despite the contentious incident, Manchester United claimed victory thanks to a close-range header from Raphael Varane. The win was a welcome relief for United’s manager, Erik ten Hag, who acknowledged the collision was up for debate but believed that no penalty was the correct call.

The incident highlights the ongoing debate surrounding VAR’s effectiveness and consistency in making crucial decisions during football matches. As fans, players, and pundits continue to scrutinize VAR’s impact on the game, controversies like these serve as a reminder of the complexities involved in integrating technology into football officiating.