Man Utd benefit from baffling VAR decision as title chances already look slim
After a weekend of auditions for potential title contenders, Manchester United could not conjure up much of a performance.
In the end, it was an all too familiar story of United somehow getting over the line with Raphael Varane’s late winner after being second best to Wolves for so long. You also have to throw in a quite-baffling VAR decision not to give an injury-time penalty against United keeper Andre Onana for taking out Wolves substitute Sasa Kalajdzic.
No wonder Wolves felt hard done by because that felt like another high-profile VAR clanger and crazy decisions like that sadly negate all the other good work and positive changes brought in by referees’ boss Howard Webb. United will know they got away with it and it might also not be enough to convince Old Trafford that Erik ten Hag’s men are ready to go toe-to-toe with Manchester City in the title race.
City blitzed Burnley on Friday night, Arsenal beat Nottingham Forest and Newcastle smashed Aston Villa on Saturday while Chelsea and Liverpool shared the spoils on Sunday. However, United struggled to make a case to be considered serious contenders even if it is early days and their new £72m striker Rasmus Hojlund is not yet fit enough to make his debut.
Maybe even United’s gruelling pre-season schedule is catching up with them, but they looked like a team still in need of work with Onana and Mason Mount making their first team bows at Old Trafford.
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Wolves, in contrast, were terrific as they went forward with pace, ideas and created the better chances but were guilty of missing a string of big chances. So much for being a club in crisis as new boss Gary O’Neil has only been in charge a matter of days but had them playing with real style and menace.
It was Wolves who created the first big chance after 26 minutes as Matheus Cunha led a counter attack, his pass set up Pablo Sarabia whose shot flashed wide of the far post but it was a clear warning for United. Cunha went close again soon afterwards as he flashed another shot just wide and suddenly you could feel a sense of frustration grow around Old Trafford.
Ten Hag took off Lisandro Martinez at half time with the United defender on a booking and also having dived into a couple of rash challenges as Victor Lindelof replaced him while Harry Maguire stayed on the bench with his future still uncertain. Cunha was guilty of a shocking miss after 49 minutes as he crashed a shot against the post while only United winger Antony created for the home side but saw his effort cleared off the line.
Pedro Neto saw an effort saved by Onana as United fans then suddenly responded by turning up the volume and they got their breakthrough after 76 minutes. Aaron Wan-Bissaka lifted the ball into the danger area, there was Varane racing through to head home from close range.
That was surely that. But Wolves kept going, kept threatening and had more chances before the shocking late VAR decision which left everyone confused. Hugo Bueno put over a cross to the back post, Onana came charging out, missed the ball but took out Craig Dawson and then Kalajdzic.
It was such an obvious penalty that when it went to a VAR check you felt sure referee Simon Hooper would point to the spot. But, incredibly, United survived and the fans went home happy but probably a long way from being convinced.
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