Gary O'Neil handed apology by PGMOL after mistake costs Wolves in Man Utd loss

14 August 2023 , 22:12

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Gary O'Neil was furious following Wolves' defeat at Manchester United

Andre Onana was caught up in a major penalty controversy as Manchester United escaped with a lucky victory at Old Trafford.

Wolves boss Gary O’Neil was fuming and accused Onana of “nearly taking a forward’s head off” after the United debutant keeper’s injury time challenge on Sasa Kalajdzic. Incredibly, referee Simon Hooper did not give a penalty, VAR Michael Salisbury checked it but did not deem it a clear and obvious error even though the decision must go down as a major clanger.

O’Neil, who was booked in the melee afterwards, claimed PGMOL referees’ officer Jon Moss even apologised after the game because the officials got it wrong. O’Neil said: “It looked like the keeper nearly took our forward's head off. I think it is a foul, you go for the ball and clatter the player that hard, it is a penalty.

"I thought he was going over to the screen at first but unfortunately he booked me and not Onana. But fair play to Jon Moss afterwards for coming out and apologising. I understand the rules [of sticking with the on field decisions as much as possible], but I don't fully accept it.

"I have spoken to the officials about it already. It is a difficult decision for the on-field official, we can't just leave it. If we are all saying it then he needs to have a look.”

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Wolves’ tally of 23 shots was the second highest recorded at Old Trafford since 2004 and only Chelsea managed more in November 2005 but they also lost 1-0. But United snatched victory with Raphael Varane’s late winner but the visitors deserved more - and certainly should have had a penalty.

United boss Erik ten Hag said: “After the opponent touched the ball he dived in so it was the judgement of the officials and lucky for us no penalty. I think you can debate it but I think no penalty.”

Ten Hag added: “It can be better. We can play better. But we're very pleased with the win. The opposition were dynamic. We have to match that. We had to fight for our points.

"There is no easy game in the Premier League and definitely not Wolves. They're a tough team and we did really well. You have to fight in every game. We hope we'll be better on the ball in the next game.”

John Cross