FURIOUS Gary O’Neil criticized VAR Michael Salisbury for depriving Wolves of a late penalty.
Andre Onana, a rookie goalkeeper for Manchester United, collided with Sasa Kalajdzic in the penalty area.
5Goalkeeper Andre Onana takes out Sasa KalajdzicCredit: Getty
5Fans could not believe Manchester United avoided conceding a late penaltyCredit: Alamy
5VAR decided to wave off penalty claimsCredit: Sky Sports
But Salisbury chose not to tell ref Simon Hooper to review the pitchside monitor, leaving O’Neil in a rage.
O’Neil, who was booked for protesting, fumed: “The keeper almost took our centre-forward’s head off.
“But I am not overly surprised we didn’t get it.
“I thought it was a penalty live and again when I watched the replay.
“If you clatter into an attacker that hard it has to be a foul.
“I am really, really surprised.”
It’s not the first time Salisbury has been at the centre of a hugely controversial VAR call.
He was AXED from Prem duties last season after his VAR cock-up in Brighton’s 2-1 defeat to Spurs – when he failed to recommend a penalty to the Seagulls – prompted an apology from refs’ chief Howard Webb.
O’Neil added: “It’s a real difficult decision for the on-field refs, so we can’t just leave it to them because they say no.
“I am disappointed we are going home with nothing and then my booking at the end for claiming a penalty.
“I have spoken to the officials about it already.
“If we are all saying it should have been a penalty then he need to have a look.”
United legend Gary Neville insisted Wolves were robbed.
He declared: “It was a penalty was because Onana was nowhere near the ball.
“He was never getting there so he could’ve made a decision before he jumped.”
Wolves star Matheus Cunha added: “Upset is the word. It was a penalty.”
The keeper almost took our centre-forward’s head off. But I am not overly surprised we didn’t get it.
Gary O’Neil
And fans were left stunned, calling the decision a “robbery”.
One said: “Yes, that should be a stonewall penalty after Onana punched Kalajdzic and completely missed the ball!”
Another added: “Genuinely what is the point of VAR? One of the most blatant penalties you will ever see….not given.”
One agreed: “Wolves have been absolutely robbed of a penalty there, disgraceful.”
Another fumed: “How is that not a penalty, Onana has taken out Sasa Kalajdzic.
5Gary O’Neil was booked for protesting as VAR refused to send the referee to review the incidentCredit: EPA
“If an outfield player does that I’ve no doubt it’s a penalty, think that’s another example of just how protected goalkeepers are.
“Manchester United extremely fortunate to escape that. That is a baffling decision.”
It meant Raphael Varane’s second-half winner was enough to separate the sides.
And Gary Lineker couldn’t resist a cheeky pun, tweeting: “An opening day 3 points for @ManUtd thanks to VARane.”
United boss Erik ten Hag was relieved the penalty claim went in his favour.
The Dutchman said: “The VAR looked at the incident and it went on our side so we are happy with the points.
“Andre was really brave to come out and I don’t think he had an influence on the touch from the opponent.”
It was a penalty was because Onana was nowhere near the ball.
Gary Neville
United won last night’s game at Old Trafford when French defender Varane nodded in Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s 76th-minute cross from close range.
But the visitors – under new boss O’Neil – managed 23 shots on target – the highest from an away team in a Prem match at Old Trafford since Chelsea’s 25 in November, 2005.
O’Neil added: “To come to Old Trafford and have the most shots of any side since 2005 and dominate after just four days of work is exceptional.
“The lads deserved more tonight.”
United captain Bruno Fernandes said: “Sometimes you have to find a way to win.”
And match-winner Varane added: “We are very happy. It was a tough game against a very good team. It’s a good start to the season, three points, clean sheet.”
5Andre Onana kept a Man Utd clean sheet on his Prem debutCredit: Getty