Manchester United receive new referee VAR penalty verdict as damning PGMOL point made

One-time Premier League referee Mark Halsey reckons "something is not right" at PGMOL in the aftermath of the controversial VAR decision that cost Manchester United - as outrage rumbles on.

United were gunned down from the penalty spot in stoppage time against West Ham on Sunday afternoon - with Jarrod Bowen settling the scores. However, had the much-maligned video system not intervened, United would've almost-certainly walked away from the London Stadium with a point.

Crysencio Summerville and Casemiro were on target at either end in the second half. However, those goals were a mere footnote when compared to what happened with 92 minutes on the clock - leaving United incensed.

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United defender Matthijs de Ligt collided with Danny Ings. No penalty given by David Coote on field.

The referee, though, was then called to his pitch-side monitor upon VAR recommendation and he overturned that initial call. Michael Oliver was on VAR duty at Stockley Park and their eventual decision has caused quite a stir with ex-Premier League official Halsey refusing to hold back in his assessment.

In his role as a columnist for The Sun, he wrote: "I'm amazed referee David Coote overturned his decision.

"A penalty should not have been awarded. It was nothing more than a coming together and resulted in a game-changing decision that cost Manchester United.

"Danny Ings lost the ball and, then, Matthijs de Ligt made minimal contact with the West Ham striker's shin... The Premier League's Match Centre said De Ligt made "sufficient contact" on Ings to merit a penalty.

"But it is a contact sport. This should never be enough for a foul.

"Coote had a great view and he was initially spot on not to award a penalty. Referees' chief Howard Webb does not want VAR intervening with subjective calls that are not clear and obvious.

"But this was a classic case of that - the incident was re-refereed. VAR Michael Oliver recommended a pitch-side review, then Coote crumbled and changed his decision, like so many other referees do in that situation.

"Something's not right with the training and education at the PGMOL."