Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admitted that his side were a “tad lucky” as VAR once again played a major role in their 1-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion.
A re-taken Bruno Fernandes penalty was enough to give United the three points. However, the win was controversial as minutes before the goal referee David Coote with the assistance of VAR overturned what seemed to be certain penalty for West Brom following a Fernandes challenge on Connor Gallagher.
Solskjaer said to BT Sport:
“I looked at the penalty this afternoon at Villa- Brighton, and there’s contact on the ball and the man. In my head, it might be a penalty, and there as well.
“We’re a tad lucky maybe, but none of them are given so maybe the rules are different to how I interpret them.”
West Brom manager Slaven Bilic was “very disappointed” that the penalty decision was overturned. Telling BT Sport:
“I’m very disappointed with the decision. Throughout the whole second half, I felt like ‘small West Brom’, all those crucial decisions went against us”
Bilic was also disappointed that a foul on Gallagher in the build up to the United penalty was not spotted by VAR.
“The new (Handball) Rules, no problem. But I have a problem with the foul before, I was told they were checking it so I was quite confident that it would not be given.
“That penalty shouldn’t be taken, it should not be given, end of story.”
West Brom remain winless from their first nine games of the season and stay 18’th in the table. While United’s first back to back wins of the season move them into the top half, sitting in 9’th with a total of thirteen points.
