Lineker's 'argument' rubbished by ex-Man Utd star after late Wolves controversy

14 August 2023 , 21:51

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Gary Lineker insisted United were fortunate with the decision (Image: Getty Images)

Gary Lineker claimed Manchester United "got away with one" after Wolves had a late penalty appeal waved away - but former Red Devil Tim Howard was adamant the decision was correct.

United secured three points in their Premier League opener despite being second best for long periods. Raphael Varane headed home the winner in the second-half, but the main talking point was the failure to award the visitors a penalty late on in stoppage time.

A ball was crossed into the box and Andre Onana raced out to clear, but missed the ball and clattered into Sasa Kalajdzic's head with the Wolves star falling to the ground. Initial appeals from the players were waved away by Simon Hooper and VAR then backed the decision.

Lineker said on social media: "United got away with one there. If the referee had given it they certainly wouldn’t have overruled the decision." The majority agree with the Match of the Day presenter with fans left stunned that no spot kick was given, especially after a check.

Howard though maintains the right decision was made as he commentated on NBC: "No I don't think so. I've just never seen this given. And I've seen it a thousand times. I've done it and it's never been given. I can understand the argument and if a defender does it. But it never gets given."

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Gary O'Neil, who was taking charge of Wolves for the first time, was left fuming on the touchline and immediately lamented the fourth official. He was booked for his protests as he and his team returned to Molineux with nothing.

The Wolves boss said in the aftermath of the game: "I thought live it was a penalty, it looked like the keeper almost took our strikers head off. It looks the same now. I think it is a foul. If you go for the ball and clatter into the attacking player, it has to be a foul. I am not overly surprised that we didn't get it.

"When he came towards us, I thought he might be going over to the screen but he was booking me and not Onana for smashing our player. I understand it but I don't accept it fully. The on-field referee, it is a difficult decision for them. We can't just leave it because they said no. If we all think it is a penalty, and a lot of people have said it is a stonewall penalty, I am disappointed."

United have long had a reputation for getting favourable decisions from officials and last season only saw three penalties given against them, among the lowest in the league. Piers Morgan fully agreed with Lineker as he said: "United’s goalkeeper nearly decapitates two Wolves opponents - but the referee’s decision was to book their manager for protesting at the lack of penalty. Ridiculous."

Samuel Meade