Inside the VAR discussion that reviewed Andre Onana’s clash with Sasa Kalajdzic in Manchester United’s opening fixture of the Premier League campaign.
The notorious incident has been brought up frequently since it happened, with supporters already frustrated at the league’s officiating so early in the campaign.
United saw out a narrow 1-0 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers on August 14 and the penalty shouts clouded what was a high-quality debut from Onana.
In the fifth minute of injury time, the goalkeeper clashed his hands into Kalajdzic when claiming a cross in his penalty area, leaving the forward on the floor and clutching his head.
After VAR opted against a spot-kick, Wolves boss Gary O’Neil confirmed post-match that the PGMOL had apologised and admitted the decision was a mistake.
Inside the VAR review
Here’s what got said when the officials reviewed the phase of play.
VAR: “Possible foul there, we just need to view that.”
Simon Hooper: “It’s like collisions, we don’t give those.”
VAR: “So Onana goes to challenge for the ball… delay, delay. Checking possible penalty. So I just want to view this because I think Onana collides into him. He’s trying to reach the ball but he’s late… and he blocks in.
“The goalkeeper goes to challenge for the ball and he makes aerial contact with the Wolves player. It’s late and it’s clumsy in my opinion. [Craig] Dawson wins the header. But it’s late, it’s very late in the aerial challenge. I think because the Wolves player [Kalajdzic] doesn’t head the ball – because Dawson heads it, Dawson clearly wins the header, therefore it’s a normal collision as they’ve both challenged the ball. Check complete.”
Inside the VAR discussion on Andre Onana's clash against Wolves 📺 pic.twitter.com/FVJt5niQ2n
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) September 6, 2023
Footage courtesy of Football Daily.
Just shows how clueless they actually are